Calvin Harris, left, and his son, Taylor, walk around downtown Schoharie as the judge deliberates on Friday in Harris’ second-degree murder trial. (Photo by Wendy Post)
Week eight of the second-degree murder trial for 55-year old Calvin Harris ended without a verdict on Friday, and after approximately 12 hours of deliberations by Judge Richard Mott.
Judge Mott took the case on Wednesday, and following closing arguments. Because this is a trial by judge, or bench trial, the verdict will be left solely up to Judge Mott to decide.
With media swarming the courthouse, awaiting the verdict, Judge Mott hasn’t set any time for delivering it and did not set a return date to the court for the verdict.
So for the media and the families gathered at the courthouse, as well as the defense and prosecution, it is a waiting game.
According to one of the neighboring business owners, Theresa Wright of Wright Law and Title Law on Main Street, everyone always knew when a verdict would be rendered.
Wright talked about a bell in the village that would ring, letting the community know that the judge, or a jury, has come to a decision on a verdict.
A reporter from the Albany Times Union also called it unusual for a judge to not set a time for everyone to return to the court for a verdict.
Judge Mott finished deliberating on Friday, and had the court clerk instructed everyone in the courtroom that he would be back on Tuesday, at 12:45 p.m. to continue. There is no way of telling how long it might take the judge to make a decision on the verdict.
In the meantime, the defendant and his family wait, nearby, for the judge to render a verdict. If found guilty, Calvin Harris could face 25 years to life in prison.
