Jury fails to reach verdict in child sexual abuse case

A Jefferson County Court jury deliberated about 61/2 hours Friday without reaching a verdict in the case of a Clayton man charged with having sexual contact with a minor.

The trial of Eddie D. Ennis, 37, was recessed until Monday morning after jurors, who began deliberations at 9:30 a.m., had failed to obtain a verdict by 4 p.m. At that point, Judge Kim H. Martusewicz asked the jury in writing if it was close to having a verdict or if it wished to suspend deliberations and return Monday. Jurors chose to return.

Mr. Ennis faces two counts each of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges were contained in a grand jury indictment handed up in February 2009. It is alleged that between Oct. 24, 2005, and Oct. 23, 2007, he engaged in sexual conduct with a female under the age of 11 on at least two occasions.