HOUGHTON -- Update:  Friday, December 17, 2010  7:30 p.m.

Another jury, another mistrial in the case of accused arsonist and murderer Ronald Kemppainen.

The decision was made at around 6:30 Friday night after the foreperson convinced the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked.  When the judge asked if more instruction might help them reach a decision, the foreperson said that wasn't likely because there were people with strong opinions on both sides.

Reactions differed as the mistrial was declared.

Kemppainen smiled for the first time all trial, while relatives of the victims were visibly upset.  They preferred not to go on camera, but one said she was "shocked" and even more devastated because she'd been more "optimistic" with the additional evidence allowed in court this time.

After jurors were dismissed, the judge said the case would be set for yet another trial.

A date is expected to be set at a scheduling conference sometime in the next month.

Update 6:35 p.m. EST

The judge has declared a mistrial in the arson/murder case of Ronald Kemppainen.  The jury reported back to the judge that they could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Update 5:10 p.m. EST

The jury reported at 5 p.m. that they were deadlocked.

The court sent them back in to the jury room to continue deliberations.
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A verdict has not yet been announced in the fire arson case of Ronald Kemppainen.

Jury went in to deliberation around noon in Houghton after closing arguments were made Friday morning.

We'll have a verdict on this case available as soon as it's announced.

You can also check out the links to the case below.