Current experience.
⠀ The jury was deadlocked. And then it all fell apart. ⠀.
A North Carolina murder trial has ended without a verdict after a judge revealed that jurors discussed information that was never introduced into evidence.
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David Parvatt is accused of murdering and sexually assaulting his five-year-old niece, Paityn Fields, in 2017.
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He pleaded not guilty.
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Jurors were deliberating in October when allegations surfaced that some panel members shared outside information about the defendant.
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Judge Ricardo Jensen questioned the jurors individually and eventually declared a mistrial on October 15.
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Now prosecutors want the retrial moved out of Pender County.
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Their Oct. 19 motion argues that extensive publicity, the televised proceedings and public comments by jurors could make it difficult to select an impartial jury locally.
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The question is not whether the original jury believed Prevatte was guilty.
⠀ This is whether the jury decided the case using only evidence presented in court.
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A new pre-trial hearing is set for November 13.
⠀ Watch: Court television captures the moment when the judge declares a mistrial. ⠀.