Potential juror’s remarks focus of action

 

About two and a half hours into jury selection for an aggravated robbery case, the judge declared a mistrial due to a potentially muddied jury pool.

Voir dire in the case of Jason Adams, 32, of 116 Rowe St., Coal Grove, was nearly complete when Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson asked for a mistrial.

Anderson said a potential juror’s comments to the court about the integrity and credibility of certain witnesses in the case could have tainted the jury, leaving them unable to be fair and impartial.

After a brief meeting in Judge Charles Cooper’s chambers, Warren Morford, attorney for the defendant, said he agreed with Anderson’s motion,

“We believe a mistrial is in the best interest of justice,” Morford said.

Cooper agreed as well and declared a mistrial.

The trial was rescheduled for Oct. 15-17, at which time a new jury would be selected.

Adams, is charged with a first-degree count of aggravated robbery, a charge that carries with it a maximum of 11 years in prison.