GENTRYS RETURN TO A.V. HOME; COUPLE RELEASED ON BAIL AFTER JURY DEADLOCKS.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer Michael and Kathleen Gentry were home Saturday, after spending 295 days behind bars. Michael Gentry was released from Men's Central Jail and Kathleen from Twin Towers Correctional Facility The Twin Towers Correctional Facility, also referred to in the media as Twin Towers Jail, is a complex erected in Los Angeles, California to house inmates of the Los Angeles County Courts. It is the world’s largest jail. shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday, a day after a Superior Court judge reduced their bail to $20,000 each. ``We're glad we're together again,'' said Fontana resident Jack Nicolai, Michael Gentry's cousin who picked up the two and drove them to their Lake Los Angeles home. The couple had been charged with murder, child abuse and conspiracy in the death of their 15-year-old daughter, Lindsay Gentry, who died at a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Fontana in February 1996. The Gentrys' trial lasted seven weeks and featured conflicting medical opinions from doctors as expert witnesses on both sides. On May 6, a mistrial A courtroom trial that has been terminated prior to its normal conclusion. A mistrial has no legal effect and is considered an invalid or nugatory trial. It differs from a "new trial," which recognizes that a trial was completed but was set aside so that the issues could be was declared when the jury said it was hopelessly deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict. No wrongdoing wrong·do·er n. One who does wrong, especially morally or ethically. wrong  do was suspected in the child's death until a friend of the family came forward and told authorities that the girl was mistreated and abused. The report set off a complex two-year investigation which led to the arrest of her parents in July. They have been jailed since then. Before going home, the couple had breakfast with their attorneys who met them as they were released. Family members said that Gentry supporters chipped in to pay 10 percent of the bail money making way for the couple's freedom. ``We divided money between members of the support group,'' said Nicolai. Outside their home, Michael Gentry was greeted by a friend, Sharon, who hugged the 45-year-old man during a brief visit. ``I plan to eat well and sleep,'' said Michael Gentry before entering his Ronar Street home shortly after noon. ``I'm going to eat some real food.'' Lindsay Gentry was born with water on her brain and a condition called congenital myotonic dystrophy Myotonic Dystrophy Definition Myotonic dystrophy is a progressive disease in which the muscles are weak and are slow to relax after contraction. . When she died, she was 4 feet 8 inches tall and weighed approximately 44 pounds. Her death certificate said she died of cardiac arrest cardiac arrest n. Abbr. CA A sudden cessation of cardiac function, resulting in loss of effective circulation. Cardiac arrest A condition in which the heart stops functioning. , pneumonia, marasmus marasmus /ma·ras·mus/ (mah-raz´mus) a form of protein-energy malnutrition predominantly due to prolonged severe caloric deficit, chiefly occurring in the first year of life, with growth retardation and wasting of subcutaneous fat and (progressive emaciation emaciation /ema·ci·a·tion/ (e-ma?she-a´shun) a wasted condition of the body. e·ma·ci·a·tion n. The process of losing so much flesh as to become extremely thin; wasting. caused by lack of food) and congenital myotonic dystrophy. Kathleen Gentry also suffers from a milder form of the disorder, which is characterized by the wasting away of the muscles. Michael Gentry said he plans to spend his time caring for his wife who he says lost 30 pounds while in custody. On advice of their attorney, Michael and Kathleen Gentry said they could not comment on their release. ``I don't want to say or do anything to jeopardize our case,'' said Michael Gentry, carrying two plastic bags containing books and paperwork. Kathleen Gentry wore a pair of shorts and a tank top. Michael Gentry wore a T-shirt and slacks. In their trial, 10 of 12 jurors voted to acquit To set free, release or discharge as from an obligation, burden or accusation. To absolve one from an obligation or a liability; or to legally certify the innocence of one charged with a crime. acquit v. the Gentrys of murder, but seven of 12 wanted to convict them of child abuse. On Friday, prosecutors announced they would retry re·try tr.v. re·tried , re·try·ing, re·tries To try again. Verb 1. retry - hear or try a court case anew rehear the pair, dropping the murder charge, but accusing them of involuntary manslaughter The act of unlawfully killing another human being unintentionally. Most unintentional killings are not murder but involuntary manslaughter. The absence of the element of intent is the key distinguishing factor between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. . With the new charges, Superior Court Judge John S. Fisher drastically lowered the Gentrys' bail. It had been $500,000 for Kathleen, $1 million for Michael. Since their arrest, the Gentrys have turned down three plea bargains offered by the district attorney and have maintained their innocence. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1-2--Color) Kathleen and Michael Gentry react in court. John Lazar/Daily News (3) Michael Gentry is seen as he arrives home Saturday. He and wife Kathleen were released on bail after the jury deadlocked. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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