A Stanislaus County judge declared a mistrial Friday in a six-year-old Modesto murder case after the defendant’s appointed attorney was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence in court, then failed to return to court or respond to repeated calls and emails for two days.
Superior Court Judge Valli Israels relieved attorney Christopher Loethen as counsel for Kelley Marie Ball, and appointed attorney Martin Baker to take over Ball’s defense.
Baker then asked for a mistrial, telling the judge he could not adequately prepare to take over the complex murder case in the few days before jurors were scheduled to return Tuesday. Ball told Israels she agreed with the request…