From the Don't Do Things From Memory department:
Normally, when the jury says they're deadlocked, the trial court will read a very carefully worded charge that says, in essence, "You totally are entitled to your honest opinions, but can you reach deep into your hearts and see if you can find any agreement, uh, without violating your beliefs, of course. Wink. Wink. No pressure." Juries typically get the subtext and resolve the deadlock.
Here, the judge instead stated, "You have an obligation to deliberate and to reach a unanimous verdict. That's your obligation. I'm going to send you back in. I'm going to ask you to continue your deliberations." The jury happily obliged.
And the Appellate Division, much less happily, reversed.
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