Convicted Murderer In Sarah Stern Case May Get New Trial: Reports

The Sarah Stern case could be retried since the convicted murderer has asked for a new trial and his sentencing has been delayed.

Coud the man convicted of throwing Stern's body into the Shark River off the Route 35 bridge in Belmar get another chance?

Liam McAtasney, 21, had his May 24 sentencing adjourned so the judge can consider a motion for a new trial.

At issue is an incident that nearly derailed the murder trial before the verdict came in February: A juror's alleged wisecrack on Facebook, according to The Asbury Park Press. "Sitting on the jury LMAO" the female juror in the Sarah Stern murder trial reportedly posted on Facebook.

The unidentified woman was then booted from the jury.

Months ago, the judge ruled against a mistrial request after McAtasney's attorney charged that the comment could have influenced the rest of the jury. But the judge, according to The Asbury Park Press, did say that the juror faces possible contempt charges.

McAtasney, of Neptune City, was found guilty on all counts of murder, robbery, desecration of human remains, conspiracy to desecrate human remains and hindering apprehension, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.

NBC's Dateline will explore the Sarah Stern murder case on Friday. You can watch the preview here: Watch Preview Of 'The Betrayal of Sarah Stern' On NBC

First Assistant Prosecutor Lori Linskey said during a press conference after the verdict: "We could not be more proud about today's result."

Sarah Stern's father, Michael, said during the press conference: "The most important thing is to get justice for Sarah. She was a great kid and it never should have ended like this."

He also said he was sickened by McAtasney's video confession: "Apparently his evil thoughts and motives were beyond any realm I could imagine." Read more: Video Shows When Verdict Reached In Sarah Stern Murder Trial

This week, hwoever, Stern told The Asbury Park Press that he was “disappointed" in the sentencing's delay and “it just seems like there’s no resolution ... It goes on and on and on, and this is 2½ years now."

Here is an Asbury Park Press video of the attorneys making the request several months ago:

The juror, who asked to be identified as a 21-year-old Middletown resident, told nj.com that the Facebook comment was made by her younger sister, with whom she shares an account. The juror said she deleted the comment as soon as she saw it.

The juror told nj.com that the trial was “taking a toll on me emotionally" and “I started having really vivid nightmares about it and I couldn’t take it anymore. It was too much.”

Prosecutors have said they believe McAtasney, with friend Preston Taylor's help, threw Stern's body into the Shark River off the Route 35 bridge in Belmar more two years ago. Taylor's sentencing has been delayed, too.

This happened after McAtasney strangled her, prosecutors said. McAtasney allegedly strangled his former classmate for $7,000 or more that he removed from her home. Taylor was accused of helping conceal Stern's body.

Taylor pleaded guilty to seven charges, including robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery, for his part in Stern's murder. Taylor also agreed to testify against McAtasney.

In the alleged confession video, McAtasney is apparently seen in the hidden camera videos, published by nj.com and The Asbury Park Press, telling his friend, Anthony Curry, that the "biggest problem was the dog" when the murder allegedly took place.

"Her dog laid there and watched as I killed her," he said on the nj.com video.

In the same video, McAtasney said he and Taylor worked together to dispose the body, eventually, off the Belmar bridge. McAtasney said he "had timed everything out," and that he and Taylor even had walkie-talkies.

They eventually were able to get Stern's body into a car and to the bridge, he said. "The two of us throw the body over and we're out," he said on the video that was also published by The Asbury Park Press.