The Louisiana 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted the killer of former Jets running back Joe McKnight a new trial after his manslaughter conviction was delivered by a split jury, according to The Associated Press.
In 2018, Ronald Gasser was convicted of manslaughter by a 10-2 vote and sentenced to 30 years in prison for fatally shooting McKnight in a road rage incident on Dec. 1, 2016. However, the sentence and his conviction were vacated on Wednesday. The panel’s decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court voted to outlaw split-jury verdicts in April. The ruling was retroactive to all cases with split-jury verdicts currently under appeal.
At Gasser’s initial trial, witnesses testified McKnight had been weaving in and out of traffic at a high speed prior to the shooting. However, prosecutors argued that Gasser escalated the incident by chasing McKnight over a bridge for five miles and following him down an exit that he normally would not have taken. Gasser’s defense claims that he acted in self-defense, as McKnight lunged into his car. According to the prosecution, physical evidence proved to be false.
Gasser’s attorney, Dane Ciolino, said Gasser would remain in custody until his bond hearing is scheduled.
McKnight starred at USC before being drafted by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft and was with the team from 2010-2012. He saw limited action as a rookie, running for 158 yards on 32 carries.
In 2011, McKnight emerged as a return threat for the Jets, returning a kick for 107 yards, good enough for the longest play in franchise history. He was named an All-Pro kick returner that season.
McKnight was released by the Jets in 2013 and spent all of 2013 out of football. He resurfaced with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2014, but suffered a torn Achilles tendon in a September practice, ending his season. He was then subsequently released by the Chiefs. Prior to his death, McKnight was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.
