The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office David Eyster:
A Mendocino County Superior Court jury returned from its deliberations this past Tuesday, July 5th, to announce the twelve were hopelessly deadlocked and would be unable to reach unanimous verdicts on all the charges and allegations pending against the trial defendant.
After making further inquiry, including how the jurors were numerically split, the Court declared a mistrial and the jury was excused.
The case has been continued to July 17th so the attorneys could check on the availability of witnesses before calendaring a retrial with a new jury.
Defendant Tomas Yah Pool, age 54, generally of the Sebastopol area, is charged with six felony counts and two special allegations relating to sex crimes involving children.
As always in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
The law enforcement agency responsible for investigating the alleged crimes is the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
The District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation also provided victim/witness support and participated in trial preparation and support.
Coastal Deputy District Attorney Eloise Kelsey is the prosecutor handling this case.
Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Carly Dolan was the bench officer who presided over the multi-week trial.
