Hung jury for woman who butchered husband and smothered children

POMONA - A jury debating to give a Rowland Heights woman the death penalty for killing her family deadlocked on Monday.

Following deliberations in the penalty phase of Manling Williams' trial, the jury was hung, court officials said Monday. Eight jurors favored recommending death for Williams, while four preferred life without parole, Los Angles County District Attorney's office officials said.
A hearing was scheduled for Jan. 11 to determine the next course of action.
"At that time, the district attorney's office will announce whether we intend to retry the penalty phase," said spokeswoman Shiara Davila. "In the event we do, we will do so with a brand new jury."
Williams faced the death penalty after she was convicted on Nov. 4 of slashing to death her husband, Neal, and smothering her two sons, Devon, 7, and Ian, 3, with a pillow in their Rowland Heights home on Aug. 7, 2007.
Despite the hung jury in the penalty phase, Williams' previous murder conviction stands, Davila said.
The jury deliberated for more than two days before the hung jury decision was announced just before the end of the day Monday.
If the attorney's office opts not to retry the penalty phase, Williams will be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, Davila said.