Murder Suspects 3rd Trial Ends In Mistrial
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A lawyer for a Pine Bluff man whose third
trial for first-degree murder was stopped as it began says his
client can expect a fourth trial.
Fred Minor Junior is charged with first-degree murder in the
shooting death of 28-year-old Jeffrey Moorehead on February 21st,
2000.
Yesterday, after a jury was selected, the trial was called off
before opening statements could be conducted. Prosecutors and
defense lawyers asked for a mistrial because of alleged discussions
between jurors and the victim`s family.
Minor was convicted in 2001 and sentenced to 15 years in prison
but that conviction was overturned by the Arkansas Supreme Court
because jurors weren`t allowed to consider a lesser charge.
A jury deadlocked in a retrial in July, prompting a mistrial.
Public Defender Jodi Dennis says Minor will have to get ready
for another trial next year.
