A San Diego jury hit a wall yesterday on the most serious charge in a deadly National City DUI case, failing to reach a unanimous verdict on whether driver Jamal Dekwon Lee committed murder in a March 2025 crash that killed a local woman. The panel had already returned guilty verdicts on several related counts earlier in the week, leaving the lone murder charge in limbo while the court decides whether to retry it or let it go.
Mistrial On Murder Count
Jurors told the court they were split 8 to 4 in favor of guilt on the murder charge but could not reach a unanimous decision, according to the San Diego Union‑Tribune. After hearing that they were hopelessly deadlocked, the judge halted deliberations on that single count while weighing whether to declare a mistrial or explore other options.
Crash And Arrest
The collision happened just after 2 a.m. on March 8, 2025, on the 1600 block of East Plaza Boulevard near Interstate 805, and 54‑year‑old Tina Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Times of San Diego. A witness reported seeing a car driving recklessly and followed it to an apartment complex, KGTV/10News reported. That witness later gave police photos that helped lead officers to Lee, according to a report on photos that helped lead officers to Lee.
What Jurors Decided
Earlier in the week, jurors had already found Lee guilty on most of the other charges, including what prosecutors described as gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, the San Diego Union‑Tribune reported. With those convictions secured, the unresolved murder count now looms largest, since it would carry a substantially heavier sentence if prosecutors choose to pursue it again.
Prosecutors' Case
Prosecutors argued that Lee's blood‑alcohol concentration was 0.186 percent, more than twice California's legal limit, and alleged that he left the scene after the crash, according to earlier reporting by KGTV/10News. Court filings introduced at trial laid out accounts of drinking that night and other background that the defense challenged, while evidence such as vehicle damage and witness testimony formed the backbone of the state's case.
What Comes Next
If the judge formally declares a mistrial on the murder count, prosecutors will have the option to seek a retrial on that charge. California case law has long allowed retrials after a hung jury in many situations, with double‑jeopardy rules blocking a second attempt only in relatively narrow circumstances (California case law). The court is expected to set a status hearing to decide whether to refile the murder charge or leave it unresolved while sentencing moves forward on the other convictions.
Family And Community
The woman killed in the crash was identified as Tina Smith, and relatives have previously told reporters they are seeking justice and closure, according to early coverage of the case. Local advocates have pointed to the crash while calling for tougher enforcement of impaired‑driving laws in South Bay neighborhoods, and community members are closely watching what the court does next (NBC 7 San Diego).
