UW arson-case jurors say they've reached verdicts on some counts

TACOMA — Jurors deliberating the fate of a California woman accused of participating in the 2001 arson at the University of Washington have reached a unanimous verdict on some of the five federal charges.

The jury in U.S. District Court indicated Wednesday afternoon that it had reached verdicts on some of the counts against Briana Waters, but may be deadlocked on others. It was not revealed which charges they had agreed on, or whether she had been convicted or acquitted on those charges. The jury will reconvene tomorrow morning.

U.S. District Court Judge Franklin Burgess overruled prosecutors' request that the court accept a "partial verdict," which would allow them to publish the decisions they had already decided upon unanimously. Burgess ordered the jury to continue deliberation Thursday. It's unclear when or if the jury will reach a unanimous verdict on all five charges.

Waters, 32, Oakland, faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years in prison if convicted of conspiracy, two counts of arson, and use and possession of a destructive device.

The fire, which destroyed the university's Center for Urban Horticulture, was one of at least 17 fires set by radical activists with the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front from 1996 to 2001.

The jury has been deliberating since Friday afternoon.

Mike Carter: 206-464-3706 or mcarter@seattletimes.com