A New Zealander accused of murdering a fellow inmate in a California prison faces another trial after jurors failed to reach a verdict in his first hearing.
Clinton Thinn Photo: Supplied / Instagram
Clinton Thinn, who is the step-brother of National MP Nikki Kaye, is accused of strangling his cellmate in late 2016, following his arrest for an attempted bank robbery.
Thinn's trial began earlier this month but a mistrial was declared last week after the jury failed to agree on a verdict.
A local reporter for The Star News in Chula Vista, Neal Putnam, said jurors were split between voting for first-degree murder, second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter.
Thinn's lawyers argued it was not murder, and that he had to defend himself after being attacked.
They've also claimed Thinn was targeted because of his New Zealand accent.
Prosecutors say they will retry Thinn for first-degree murder and see what another jury decides.
A re-trial date will be set this week.
