THE JURY WAS "STUCK" IN THE SAM PARKER MURDER TRAIL AT MID-DAY THURSDAY… SO JUDGE BO WOOD APPLIED THE "DYNAMITE".  IT’S CALLED THE "ALLEN CHARGE"… AN INSTRUCTION TO THE JURY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE A QUICK VERDICT WHEN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS HAS STALLED.  AT THE CLOSE YESTERDAY, THE JURY REPORTED THEIR VOTE ON THE MURDER CHARGE HAD NARROWED TO 9 AND 3.  BUT BEFORE THE LUNCH BREAK THIS MORNING… THEY HAD LOST GROUND AND WERE BACK AT 8 AND 4.  THE JUDGE IS PREVENTING JURORS FROM REPORTING WHICH WAY THEY ARE LEANING… TOWARD ACQUITTAL OR TOWARD CONVICTION.  JUDGE WOOD ISSUED THE "ALLEN CHARGE" TO THE JURY WHEN THEY RETURNED FROM LUNCH… AND THEIR DELIBERATIONS, WHICH STARTED MONDAY AFTERNOON, NOW CONTINUE.  PARKER IS ACCUSED OF THE MURDER OF HIS ESTRANGED WIFE THERESA, IN MARCH OF 2007.  SHE HAS NOT BEEN HEARD FROM SINCE – AND HER BODY HAS NEVER BEEN FOUND.

WQCH