A hung jury has led to a judge declaring a mistrial in the case against former University of Miami football player Rashun Jones, who’s accused of killing his former teammate nearly 20 years ago.
Jurors told the judge they were deadlocked after deliberating on Thursday and on Monday morning.
At first, the judge told the jurors to go back and try and come to a decision, but about a half-hour later jurors returned and said they could not do that.
“Alright ladies and gentlemen, I’ve received your note indicating that you continue to be in a deadlock,” Judge Cristina Miranda said on Monday. “And so, at this time, I will declare a mistrial and hung jury.”
Investigation began in 2006 after killing of Bryan Pata
Former University of Miami football player Bryan Pata was gunned down outside of his Kendall apartment in 2006.
A gun was never located.
Jones, now 40-year-old, was arrested in Ocala in August 2021, 15 years after Pata’s killing, after a recorded interview with investigators into the incident.
He’s been behind bars ever since. His trial began about two weeks ago and culminated with the mistrial on Monday.
Jones had pleaded not guilty to his second-degree murder charge and never took the stand in his own defense.