JURY DEADLOCKS ON SHOOTING CHARGES

Suspect1

The jury in the attempted-murder trial of Anthony Sims could not reach a unanimous decision on charges related to the shootings of two brothers at Red Bank’s Montgomery Terrace apartments in November, 2008, today’s Asbury Park Press reports.

After more than three days of deliberations, the same jury acquitted Sims, 21, of attempting to kill a third man, the newspaper reports.

Sims, of Eatontown, had admitted shooting brothers Anthony an Brandon Graves, but claimed self-defense. The shooting left Brandon Graves paralyzed from the neck down.

From the Press:

The jury acquitted Anthony Sims Jr. of the attempted murder of Steven Rosado, 18, of Lakewood and of possession of a weapon with the purpose of using it unlawfully against Rosado.

The jury foreperson said the panel was deadlocked on charges of the attempted murders of brothers Brandon Graves, 24, and Anthony Graves Jr., 28, and of two weapons offenses stemming from the alleged murder attempts on the two brothers.

First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter Warshaw said the state will retry Sims on those charges.

Sims was returned to the Monmouth County Jail after the verdict was announced. His bail is still set at $3 million.