A King County jury hearing the case against former Sheriff's Deputy Paul Schene, fired following allegations that he assaulted a 15-year-old girl in a SeaTac jail cell, has deadlocked prompting a King County judge to declare a mistrial.

Facing a misdemeanor assault charge, Schene contended he used reasonable force when he kicked and punched Malika Calhoun in a holding cell following a traffic stop earlier in the night. Prosecutors countered that Schene, a seven-year veteran of the department before his firing, had been belittling the girl for hours prior to the alleged assault, the entirety of which was caught on video.

A bailiff for King County Superior Court Judge Michael J. Fox said the judge declared the mistrial shortly before 12:15 p.m. Thursday. The mistrial was Schene's second since he was charged in the Nov. 29, 2008, incident.

Speaking following Thursday's mistrial, defense attorney Peter Offenbecher said the 11 of the 12 jurors hearing the case were prepared to acquit Schene on the sole count against him.

Offenbecker said the jurors correctly found that Schene's use of force against Calhoun was reasonable.