BENNINGTON — The jury in a sexual assault case involving the alleged years-long sexual abuse of two 4-year-old twins announced, after deliberating for nearly four hours, that they were hopelessly deadlocked on all four of the felony charges. Soon after the note, Bennington Judge John Valente formally declared a mistrial.

At 7:16 p.m., a little over three-and-a-half hours since they started deliberations, a note came into the courtroom indicating that the jury was deadlocked. After conferring with lawyers from both sides, Valente offered to ask the jury whether returning the next day might be an option to continue their deliberations and reach a possible verdict.

Defense attorney Josh Stern, after conferring with his client, objected and asked the judge to instead declare a mistrial. Pros

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