A Methow Valley couple accused of causing the death of their 17-year old son are at home today after a jury failed to reach a verdict late last night on one charge and ruled for acquittal on a second charge.

 

Greg and JaLea Swezey were found not guilty of second degree murder by an Okanogan County Superior Court jury following three days of testimony and nine hours of deliberations. They jury could not reach a decision on an alternative second degree manslaughter charge.

 

17 year old Zachery Swezey died at home of a ruptured appendix in March 2009, with his parents by his side. The Swezeys had been charged for failing to seek medical care for their son Zachery during the two and a half days he was ill.

 

Okanogan County Prosecutor Karl Sloan has the authority to retry the first degree manslaughter charge against Greg Swezey, and second-degree manslaughter against JaLea Swezey.