MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A juror who was sequestered in a murder trial in Memphis has died, prompting a mistrial to be declared in the case.
The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/1U4k3J2 ) reports the juror had become sick at his hotel room and died overnight.
Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan said Friday only 11 jurors remained in the first-degree murder case of Ricky Patton and the trial could not continue. The trial was rescheduled for Feb. 27.
Two other jurors were previously released. One had tried to discuss the case prematurely, and the other injured himself walking to the jury box.
The 29-year-old Patton is charged in the killing of 26-year-old Terrance Covington in 2013.
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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com
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