Rape-case jurors seek clarifications

Marisa O’Neil

Deliberations continued Monday with three more questions from jurors

in the retrial of three men accused in a gang-rape case.

Monday represented the first full day of deliberations for the

eight-man, four-woman jury. They began deliberations Thursday

afternoon and submitted their first question -- asking for

clarification on a jury instruction -- at the end of the day.

Attorneys met in closed session Friday without jurors to answer

the question. Jurors began Monday by hearing that answer.

On Monday jurors again watched a videotape the defendants made of

the alleged rape at a July 2002 party. The tape was shown in court

during the trial but out of view of courtroom spectators.

Jurors on Monday had three additional questions, a court clerk

said. All were routine questions, Chief Assistant Deputy Dist. Atty.

Chuck Middleton said.

Kyle Nachreiner, Keith Spann and Greg Haidl -- son of former

assistant sheriff Don Haidl -- are accused of gang-raping an

unconscious 16-year-old girl when they were 17. They are also accused

of sexually assaulting her with various objects on a pool table in

Haidl’s Corona del Mar home.

Defense attorneys claim the girl willingly participated and

feigned unconsciousness.

The case last year ended in a mistrial after jurors deliberated 20

hours and could not reach a verdict.

This time, the defendants face a case with fewer charges. If

convicted, they could get up to 23 years in prison.

Jurors are scheduled to resume deliberations this morning.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (714) 966-4618 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil @latimes.com.