Jury Still Undecided in Kennewick School Sex Offender Trial

An 86-year-old former Kennewick teacher has already served time on sex abuse convictions involving Kennewick High students, but now civil trials are underway against the District.

As of Monday, the jury is still undecided as to whether the Kennewick School District is liable for not protecting the students enough from Bill Pickerell.

Pickerell, who worked for the District for several decades, served prison time after pleading guilty in 2009 to abusing several boys, mainly on sports trips to the Seattle area.

According to KNDU-TV, the jury had reached a verdict on two of the first four students suing, but was deadlocked on the other two. Because there are 15 defendants, they've been split into four separate trials. These civil suits are seeking damages against the District.