Jury's Deliberation Hits Critical Juncture in Worcester Bridge Attack Trial Amidst Unanimous Verdict Query

A tense atmosphere gripped Worcester Superior Court on Wednesday morning as the jury in the high-profile trial of William Peña, accused of terrorizing motorists and a train conductor from an I-290 overpass, posed a critical question to the judge. After commencing deliberations the previous afternoon, the twelve jurors inquired about the implications of a lack of unanimous verdict, signaling a potential deadlock in a case already scarred by a prior mistrial.

Peña stands accused of a terrifying spree in July 2022, where he allegedly hurled dangerous projectiles, including rocks, a cinder block, and a piece of rebar, onto vehicles traveling below the Hamilton Street overpass.

The shocking incidents left a trail of damage and fear, with motorists reporting their cars struck and a conductor on a Providence and Worcester Railroad train narrowly escaping injury when his locomotive was hit.

The charges against Peña are severe: multiple counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property, and throwing missiles at a train or railroad car.

He had initially faced an attempted murder charge, which was later dismissed, but the gravity of the remaining charges reflects the profound danger his alleged actions posed to public safety.

The jury’s question to Judge James Gavin on Wednesday morning—specifically, "What if the jury is not unanimous?"—immediately drew parallels to Peña's first trial in January.

That proceeding ended in a mistrial when the jury failed to reach a consensus, leaving the victims and the community awaiting justice. Judge Gavin's response reiterated the fundamental principle of the American legal system: a verdict, whether guilty or not guilty, must be unanimous. He then sent the jury back to continue their deliberations, urging them to strive for a unanimous decision.

The stakes are incredibly high.

For the victims, this trial represents a chance for closure and accountability. For the community, it's about ensuring safety on its roads and holding those accountable who would endanger innocent lives. As the jury continues to weigh the evidence, the city of Worcester holds its breath, hoping for a definitive resolution to this unsettling chapter.