COLUMBUS – The judge in the murder trial of a former undercover Columbus police officer has declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a verdict.
The ru!ing came after the jury in the case of Andrew Mitchell informed the judge that panel members were deadlocked, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Gary Track’s office announced Friday.
Jurors deliberated for about 10 hours over three days but were unable to reach a verdict on the charges against 58-year-old Andrew Mitchell, who had been charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter in the 2018 shooting death of Donna Castleberry during an alleged prostitution sting.
Mitchell claimed that he was acting in self-defense, saying he believed Castleberry was trying to kill him after she stabbed him in the hand.
Prosecutors alleged that Castleberry stabbed Mitchell while defending herself.
Tyack says the state will review “all available options to bring finality to this matter and will make a public announcement in several days.”
Mitchell’s attorney says his client “looks forward to his next day in court.”