Hung jury leads to mistrial in Doniphan beating death case
A Howell County judge declared a mistrial Wednesday afternoon in the murder trial of a Doniphan man accused in the beating death of his neighbor. After about eight hours of deliberation over two days, the jury deadlocked on whether 48-year old Eddie Lee Marshall was guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 25-year old Heather Michelle Donnell in April 2007. According to Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Miller says the jury announced they were deadlocked at about 2 o'clock yesterday. After the jury announced it was hung, Presiding Circuit Judge David Evans declared a mistrial, discharged the jury and set Marshall's case for docketing in the next law day on Dec. 7. Depending on the amount of publicity about the trial in the West Plains community, Miller said, a change of venue may have to be considered in the future, but no motions have been filed as of yet. Marshall continues to be held on a $500,000 cash-only bond. See more from Michelle Friedrich in the SE Missourian.
Written By: kzim
Date Posted: 11/20/2009 10:34 AM
Number of Views: 339
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