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No verdict in railway killings trial, jury sequestered for night

Resendiz

May 17, 2000
Web posted at: 10:04 PM EDT (0204 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

HOUSTON -- A jury deliberated nine hours on Wednesday without reaching a verdict in the capital murder trial of Mexican drifter Angel Maturino Resendiz , whose lawyer says his client was responsible for the so-called "Railway Killer" slayings. Resendiz pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

State District Judge Bill Harmon ordered the 12 jurors -- six men and six women -- sequestered for the night and told them to return to court on Thursday morning to continue their deliberations.

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This is the first trial for Resendiz, 40, who surrendered to authorities at a border crossing last July after being placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list.

He changed his plea on May 8, the day the trial started, from not guilty to not guilty by reason of insanity in the December 1998 rape-slaying of Houston physician Dr. Claudia Benton, 38, a member of the Baylor University College of Medicine staff.

She was attacked while alone at her home near railway tracks by an intruder who beat, stabbed and sexually assaulted her. Maturino Resendiz was linked to the killing by DNA evidence from the sexual assault found in the home.

This is the first trial in a series of killings dating back to 1997 at homes near railroad tracks in four states. The defendant is charged in six other killings -- three in Texas, two in Illinois and one in Kentucky -- and has been named as the only other suspect in two other Texas killings.

At the start of the trial, defense attorney Allen Tanner acknowledged in his opening statement that his client was responsible for Benton's murder and the other eight killings he has been linked to.

"He did it," Tanner said.

"The defendant, in his mind, thinks of people as evil who deserve to die. There is something seriously wrong up here," he said, pointing to his head.

Court-appointed psychiatrist says railroad killer is sane.
March 16, 2000
Accused 'Railway Killer' took orders from God, psychologist says
May 10, 2000
Prosecution rests in 'Railway Killer' trial
May 9, 2000
Change of venue denied in Texas 'Railway Killer' trial
May 8, 2000
Jury selection begins in 'Railway Killer' trial
March 28, 2000

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