By slim margin, jury hung in trial of ex-wife accused of killing Exeter police officer

A Tulare County judge has declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Erika Sandoval.

Sandoval, 33, was accused of killing her police ex-husband, Exeter Police Officer Daniel Green. She faced the death penalty if convicted.

After several days of deliberating, the 12-member jury could not agree on a unanimous verdict. The vote was 11 to one in favor of first degree murder.

Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward said his office remains “committed” to continue prosecuting the case.

“We are certainly disappointed on behalf of the Green family that the jury was not able to render a verdict,” Ward said. “We commend the jury for their lengthy service, especially over the holiday season.”

Sandoval’s attorney Dan Chambers said his client had mixed feelings about the jury’s decision.

“She wanted this to be over,” Chambers said. “And now she is looking at the prospect of another trial.”

The first trial was seven weeks long and attended by dozens of people, including Exeter police officers, plus friends and members of the Sandoval family.

Sandoval will remain in custody until a new trial date is set. Chambers also said he plans to continuing representing her.

Judge Joseph Kalashian thanked the emotionally drained jury.

“I know it must be frustrating for you,” Kalashian said. “But sometimes 12 people can not agree. You have executed your charge as jurors.”

Chambers said he noticed several of the jurors were crying or appeared emotionally upset.

Chambers spoke briefly to one of the jurors who told him the vote had been 9-3 in favor of first degree murder, but two of the jurors changed their minds. He did not speak with the lone juror who voted against first degree murder.

“I think she had a different view of the evidence,” Chambers said. “The thing that is upsetting are the people who are castigating the juror for not voting to convict her.”

Throughout the seven week trial, the prosecution portrayed Sandoval as controlling, manipulative and cruel. Jurors had the unusual opportunity to hear audio of the estranged couple’s loud, sometimes physical, arguments. Green used his cell phone to record many of their fights.

Assistant District Attorney David Alavezos presented his marathon closing arguments over three days. He tried to convince the jury Sandoval carefully planned to kill Green because she did not want to share custody of their young son.

Sandoval was accused of breaking into Green’s home on Feb. 6, 2015. She allegedly hid, then waited for him to go into his bathroom to shower, detectives said. When the time was right, she allegedly entered the bathroom and shot Green four times, killing him.

Chambers argued that Green was the aggressor and manipulator in the relationship. He said the prosecution didn’t want jurors to remember that Green was portrayed by several witnesses as controlling, obsessive and abusive. Chambers especially went after Green’s fellow police officers in Exeter.

“Every law enforcement officer who came in here told you half truths to protect him (Green),” Chambers said during the trial.

Sandoval remains in jail.

This story was originally published December 3, 2019 at 12:16 PM.