CA- Jury Deadlocks for Sex Offender Who Attacked News10 Crew

3-6-2009 California:

MODESTO, CA - A Stanislaus County jury failed to reach a verdict Thursday in the trial of a convicted sex offender who attacked several news media crews, including News10.

Darrin Kowomoto was arrested last November in Oakdale after assaulting news crews and making threats to kill them with a knife.

Eleven jurors voted to convict Kowomoto, but one juror refused.

A Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office spokesperson said they would re-try the case. Kowomoto will be held in custody.

News10 along with other media outlets attempted to get an interview after police held a community meeting to answer questions about Kawamoto, who moved back to the Oakdale area after finishing his parole last August.

Kawamoto, 44, was convicted in 1991 on two counts of sexual assault with force and was sentenced to 25 years behind bars. He was released on parole in 2004 after 13 years, eight months in prison.

With cameras running, Kawamoto attacked News10 reporter Cornell Barnard and photojournalist Damien Espinoza along with another television news crew when they went to his family's house to ask him questions.

At one point during the altercation, Kawamoto pulled out what appeared to be a box cutter and yelled threats as he slashed the air and tried to come after the news crews. He was restrained by a relative. ..News Source.. by Cornell Barnard