The double murder trial of Henry Hugh Smith, accused of killing his estranged wife Terah Smith, and her friend, Larry Fernander, was dismissed in the Supreme Court yesterday.
Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall dismissed the case during day three of the trial, setting July 12 as the date for a new trial.
A bailiff of the court alerted the judge late Tuesday evening of a perceived problem with one of the jurors.
Describing the matter as a personal problem, Sir Burton hall said it was one which neither he, the prosecution, nor defense, was aware of before the trial started.
Sir Burton Hall said that so as not to embarrass the juror, he would disclose neither the name nor the problem. However, it is understood that the juror is a woman and the ‘problem’ was one that could have prejudiced the case.
Source: Felicity Ingraham, The Tribune
