THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997           TAG: 9702130395
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Briefs 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   18 lines

JURY DELIBERATES 5 HOURS

Jurors deliberated about five hours Wednesday and could not reach a verdict in the case of Daerrico ``Rico'' A. Austin, charged with the murder of a baseball fan walking home from a Tides game in April.

Jury deliberations will continue today. Prosecutors presented more than a dozen witnesses during the two-day trial.

Defense laywers produced no witnesses on Austin's behalf. Austin, who is charged with first-degree murder, could face life in prison if convicted of slaying 43-year-old Frank Gibson, a shipyard worker and father of three.

KEYWORDS: MURDER SHOOTING MURDER TRIAL