Jurors have been unable to reach verdicts on ten manslaughter charges against the third Island Energy worker – less than 24 hours after convicting two colleagues and the company over the fatal Haut du Mont explosion.
The jury was discharged today after failing to reach the required agreement on the charges against Lee Ward (59) after a total of 28 hours and three minutes of deliberating.
Known as a hung jury, this means he has neither been convicted nor acquitted.
The prosecution now has 14 days to decide whether a it will seek a retrial against Mr Ward.
Commissioner Andrew Oldland had yesterday told jurors they could return majority verdicts, meaning they no longer all had to agree.
Neil Armstrong (58) and John Wright (60) were yesterday unanimously found guilty of ten counts of gross negligence manslaughter each over the explosion on 10 December 2022.
Jersey Gas, which trades as Island Energy, was also convicted of two health and safety offences yesterday.
Armstrong and Wright were remanded in custody until sentencing.
Mr Ward was remanded on bail.
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