TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AP) — The capital murder trial of a man accused of killing an Alabama sheriff ended in a mistrial Tuesday after jurors told a judge that they were unable to reach a verdict.
Jurors, who previously indicated they were at an impasse, told the judge that they remained deadlocked Tuesday morning, WSFA-TV reported . Judge Bert Rice declared a mistrial. A new trial will be held at a later date.
William Chase Johnson is charged with capital murder for the Nov. 23, 2019, shooting death of Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams.
Williams had gone to a gas station in downtown Hayneville to disperse a crowd. It is not disputed that Johnson shot the sheriff. But defense lawyers maintain that Johnson acted in self defense and did not know that Williams, who was not in uniform, was the sheriff.
Jurors had the option of returning a verdict on charges of murder or manslaughter.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers in closing arguments gave differing accounts of the moments before the fatal shooting, WSFA reported .