Samantha Yale Scroggin
Lompo Record
SANTA MARIA — Attorneys are making progress toward settling the case of a former Lompoc prison correctional officer charged with the second-degree murder of his friend, a fellow prison guard.
A second trial for Timothy McNally was expected to be confirmed Wednesday during a court hearing in Santa Maria.
However, Superior Court Judge Patricia Kelly vacated the trial that was set to start Tuesday because attorneys indicated they are exploring the possibility of a plea agreement.
McNally, 33, was going to stand trial a second time for the second-degree murder of Gary Bent after Kelly declared a mistrial April 19 because a Santa Maria jury could not decide whether McNally was guilty of murder or the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. McNally was also charged with an enhancement for personal use of a firearm.
Full story: Correctional officer killing case could settle