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Pocono News Section
Mistrial in Attempted Murder Trial
Mistrial in Attempted Murder Trial - Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 6:07PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Sep 9, 2008 @ 06:07pm EST
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - There was a surprise ending to an attempted murder trial in Schuylkill County Tuesday afternoon. A mistrial was declared in the case against Steven Close.
The jury of ten men and two told the judge they were at an impasse just before 4:00 PM Tuesday afternoon. Close was facing his second attempted murder trial for allegedly stabbing Lori Sleva on December 30th at a home in Saint Clair.
During his first trial, Close was convicted on aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges, but like Tuesday's jury, could not reach a verdict on the attempted murder charge.
There was a second stabbing victim, Justin Manhart, but the first jury determined that Close was "not guilty" of trying to kill him. Prosecutors say the double stabbing happened because Sleva and Manhart fell asleep together on a couch.
"There should have been justice done. I shouldn't have gone through this again. It messed up Justin's life, it messed up my life, it messed up my families life," Sleva said after the mistrial was declared.
Jurors say it was a tense situation in the courtroom. There were eleven people ready to convict Close, but only one person opposed it.
"There was just one juror that would not budge. He wouldn't open his mind to anything. He was dead set," juror Roxanne Bobinas said.
"I'm very disappointed that we had to work that long for just a waste really," juror Martin Reeser said.
Because the second trial ended in an impasse, prosecutors have the option to try Close for a third time. They have not said if they plan to do that. | | |
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