2nd Mistrial for Brother Accused of Murdering McCormick Barstow Partner and Another Lawyer

For the second time, a murder trial of a relative accused of killing two California lawyers in the vacation home that was the subject of a legal dispute has ended without a verdict.

A mistrial was declared today in the Santa Barbara murder trial of Corey Lyons, 52, after the jury deadlocked 7-5 for his acquittal, reports the Fresno Bee.

The victims, partner Daniel Lyons of McCormick Barstow Sheppard Wayte & Carruth, 55, and his life partner Barbara Sharton, 48, who at one point worked for the Fresno County District Attorney's Office prosecuting major marijuana cases, were shot to death in May 2009 in their Santa Barbara vacation home.

It had been the subject of a lawsuit between the two brothers, in which Daniel Lyons contended that his brother's construction firm, which the couple hired to demolish a small house that had previously been on the site and construct a new vacation home, had overcharged them.

The newspaper article doesn't include any comment from the jurors. However, KSBY News reports that some jurors found government evidence that Corey Lyons had gunshot residue on his hands persuasive of his guilt, while others said the prosecution hadn't proven that he was in the house at the time of the slayings.

A Noozhawk post provides additional details about the case.

A previous trial also ended in a mistrial, in December.

Earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Calif. Lawyer Couple Shot and Killed; Brother of One Victim Is Suspect"