N.H. abuse defendant kills self before jury deadlocks

A 75-year-old New Hampshire piano teacher awaiting a jury's verdict on charges of sexually assaulting a former student shot and killed himself outside court Friday morning, authorities said.

Five hours later, jurors announced they were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict on the six felony counts of aggravated sexual assault against John Goodwin, of Atkinson, N.H., and the judge declared a mistrial.

The jury, which began deliberating about 9 a.m., was not informed that Goodwin had shot himself, the regional cable network NECN reported. Some jurors cried as court officers led them to their cars.

Goodwin shot himself in a parking lot outside the Rockingham County Superior Courthouse just after 11 a.m, authorities said. A witness told the New Hampshire Union Leader that while sitting in his car he heard a gunshot moments after seeing an older man outside walked toward bushes in the parking lot.

Sheriff's deputies and bailiffs rushed to aid the man before emergency medical technicians arrived. The paper said a distraught woman was seen holding the man.

Goodwin and his wife, Jane, had taught piano to children for decades in their home studio. Prosecutors argued that in 2002, Goodwin began molesting an 11-year-boy and continued until 2005. The former student come forward until 2013 because he was "embarrassed" and "didn't want anyone to know." He testified Tuesday.

Goodwin had pleaded not guilty and did not testify, though his wife did.