A Lee County Circuit Court judge declared a mistrial Friday after the jury selected to hear the case against an Opelika man charged with the rape of an elderly woman was unable to reach a verdict after several hours of deliberation.
The jury chairman told Judge John V. Denson II shortly before 5 p.m. that further deliberations would not help the group to reach an unanimous decision. Denson said he was “disappointed” the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
He said he had no choice but to declare a mistrial and allow the state to try the case against Anthony James Vines, 43, before a different jury. Denson instructed all the jurors not to talk to the media as their comments may prejudice the next jury.
The current criminal term continues next week, but it may not be tried again so quickly.
Vines allegedly forced his way into the home of a then-90-year-old woman and raped her in the early morning hours of Nov. 9, 2008. Both the victim, now 91, and Vines took the stand this week.
The jury for the murder case against Reginald Moffett, 45, of Opelika was able to reach a verdict Friday. After nearly a day of deliberations, the jury found Moffett not guilty in the June 9, 2008 shooting death of Demecio Charee Griffin, 25, on South Long Street in Opelika. Moffett had pleaded not guilty in the case, and cited self-defense when he took the stand this week.
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