In a trial that has gripped the community of Dyer County, David Swift has been found not guilty on charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Karen Swift. The jury, after extensive deliberations, came to this conclusion but remained deadlocked on a verdict for the voluntary manslaughter charge, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial on that count. Weakley County Judge Mark Hayes presided over the trial, which migrated miles from Dyer County where the crime allegedly occurred back in 2011.

The defendant was accused of a heinous act: strangling Karen Swift and then ending her life with a fatal blow to the head in the garage of their shared home. Despite the not-guilty verdicts, there was no consensus among the jurors regarding the voluntary manslaughter charge. As reported by WREG, Judge Hayes acknowledged the jury's difficulties, stating, "Don’t be frustrated or discouraged because you weren’t able to resolve the case fully. It happens."

Discord within the deliberations surfaced when a juror sought to clarify the concept of "reasonable doubt" through an internet search, against the judge's instructions. This event underscores the weight of the task at hand and the jury's struggle to reach a collective decision. Further details from the trial emerged from FOX13 Memphis, highlighting the troubled marriage and the narrative of premeditation presented by the prosecution.

Much of the evidence presented during the trial painted a conflicting picture of the Swifts’ marriage. The state argued David Swift's possible motive derived from a marriage reaching its denouement, a portrayal starkly contrasted by the defense's presentation of a wife with independence and freedom. Their daughter's unexpected return home on the night of the crime played a pivotal role in the unfolding events, according to Action News 5. In a twist of evidence, it was suggested that David Swift schemed to deflate Karen Swift's SUV tire as part of his premeditated plan.

As the community digests the courtroom drama, the possibility of a retrial on the manslaughter charge looms. This case's resolution remains in a state of suspension, indicative of the complex nature of legal battles where the quest for truth often meets the impediments of uncertainty and disparate perspectives. The declared mistrial on voluntary manslaughter leaves David Swift in limbo of legal adjudication, with the District Attorney's office yet to announce their next steps.