Jury begins deliberations in trial of motel clerkÔŅĹs accused killer
(AP) -- Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of killing a Portsmouth motel clerk three years ago.
ItÔŅĹs the third trial for Roger Graham, who is accused of shooting Sanjeev Patel at the FounderÔŅĹs Brook Motel and Suites on New YearÔŅĹs Day 2002. The other two trials ended with hung juries.
Jurors were given instructions Tuesday morning and then began deliberations, said Mike Healey, spokesman for the Attorney GeneralÔŅĹs office. It was unclear how long deliberations would last.
ÔŅĹEvery case is unique,ÔŅĹ Healey said. ÔŅĹItÔŅĹs a huge task and not an easy one.ÔŅĹ
PatelÔŅĹs brother-in-law, Tajendra Patel, has been convicted for plotting the crime. Prosecutors say Tajendra Patel hired Graham to do the killing because he blamed his brother-in-law for interfering in his marriage.
Graham admits being in Portsmouth, but denies involvement in the shooting, PortsmouthÔŅĹs first murder in 30 years.
GrahamÔŅĹs attorney, Robert Mann, argued that witnessesÔŅĹ description of the shooter did not match that of his client. Prosecutors say witnesses, including PatelÔŅĹs young son who saw his fatherÔŅĹs killing, fingered Graham as the shooter.
Graham faces life in prison without parole if convicted.
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