Deliberations continue in the trial of the man accused of fatal DUI by Kennesaw teen Olivia Pugh

COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Jury deliberations will continue Friday in the trial of Jerome “Jerry” Cox, a Cobb County senior citizen accused of driving under the influence when he struck and killed 17-year-old Olivia Pugh, a Harrison High School honor student in December 2023.

Prosecutors allege Cox, who was 68 years old at the time of the incident, was driving home from a Christmas party when he plowed his SUV through a crosswalk along Ben King Road and struck the Harrison High School student. Pugh was walking to his car after viewing Christmas lights with friends in Kennesaw.

Police alleged Cox was under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle struck Pugh, who died two days later at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.

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Testimony in the trial concluded Thursday afternoon.

“Did he cause the accident? Was he a less safe driver?” Nolan Slifko, prosecutors said during closing arguments.

“You are allowed to drink alcohol and drive as long as you are not under the influence,” said Kim Frye, defense attorney during closing arguments.

The case was then in the hands of the 12 jurors. They had a lot to think about. Over the past two weeks, they heard jailhouse tapes between Cox and his wife about how much they drank that night, body and dash camera video, and requests from both sides for an inquest.

After deliberating for about six hours, jurors struggled to agree. They said they were deadlocked, with several jurors saying they would not change their minds.

They were told to rest and return at 8:30 Friday morning to continue deliberations.