Hung jury in Pianka murder trial

Judge Andrew Klein declared a mistrial Tuesday afternoon in the second-degree murder trial of Grace Pianka after the jury of five men and three women said they were at an impasse with four who thought she was guilty and four who felt she was not.

A new trial was set for October and Pianka remains in custody at a Maricopa County jail.

"I think there were too many unanswered issues," juror Sherrie Sipe said after the mistrial ruling. "We could never place the gun in (Pianka's) hand."

But for Lindsey Waters, another juror, the evidence and testimony was enough for her and three others to quickly decide Pianka was guilty of killing her husband, Adam Kostewicz, after learning he was having an affair and planning to leave.

The three jurors who spoke to the media afterwards said the one thing all jurors could agree on was that the investigation was poorly executed.

"We all agreed there was stuff overlooked," Waters said.

To learn more, see the Ahwatukee Foothills News Aug. 22 or visit www.ahwatukee.com.

More Pianka Trial coverage:

Jury continues to deliberate in murder trial (8/18)

Jury begins deliberations in Pianka trial (8/14)

Pianka testifies in own murder trial: 'I loved him' (8/12)

Prosecution rests in murder case Tuesday morning (8/12)

Jury in Pianka case finally hears from witness -- on tape (8/11)

Audio: 9-1-1 call (8/8)

Audio: Pianka interview with police (8/8)

Prosecution in Pianka trial wraps up case without witness (8/7)

Key witness in Pianka trial not expected to testify (8/6)

'Other woman' in Pianka murder trial fails to show (8/4)

Judge issues warrant for key witness in Pianka trial (8/4)

Murder case slowly unfolds (7/31)

Key witness refuses to appear at murder trial (7/31)

Local woman's murder trial underway (7/29)

Wife's murder trial to begin Tuesday (7/28)

Murder trial set to open Tuesday (7/25)

Foothills murder trial ready to begin (7/21)