MIAMI (WSVN) – A judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Rashaun Jones, the man accused of fatally shooting University of Miami defensive tackle Bryan Pata nearly two decades ago.
The mistrial was declared after a six-person jury could not come to unanimous decision in the case following a second period of deliberation.
In court Monday morning, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Cristina Miranda revealed the jury was deadlocked.
“I received your note saying you continue to be deadlocked, so at this time, I will declare a mistrial and hung jury,” she said.
Jurors began deliberating Thursday before sending Miranda a note indicating they were deadlocked.
Jones, a former Hurricanes teammate of Pata’s, was accused of second-degree murder after Pata was found in a pool of blood near a parking lot outside his Southwest Miami-Dade apartment in November 2006.
The 22-year-old was considered a top NFL draft prospect at the time of his death.
Prosecutors said Jones gunned down his former teammate out of jealousy over his successful football career and a fight that the pair had years prior.
Miranda said she will revisit the case Tuesday to see when the case may be retried.
Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.
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