COLUMBUS, Ohio — A judge has declared a mistrial after the jury remained deadlocked in the murder trial of former Columbus police officer Andrew Mitchell in the death of Donna Castleberry.
Jurors deliberated for about 10 hours over three days but were unable to reach a verdict on the charges against Mitchell.
Mitchell was indicted on murder and voluntary manslaughter charges after Castleberry was shot and killed while sitting in Mitchell's unmarked police vehicle in August 2018.
The night Castleberry was killed, Mitchell had picked her up during an alleged prostitution sting. He said he acted in self-defense after she stabbed him in the hand.
During the trial, jurors listened to a recording of Castleberry’s final moments, during which she could be heard saying, “Do not put your hands on me, no help!,” and “Please help me!.”
Prosecutors alleged it was Castleberry who was defending herself, pointing to the fact she was found shot in the back of Mitchell’s car while reportedly attempting to escape.
In a statement from Franklin County Prosecutor's Office, they said the state will be carefully reviewing all available options and will make an announcement in several days.
Jurors were not told that Mitchell is facing federal charges for allegedly forcing women to have sex with him under the threat of an arrest, pressuring others to cover up crimes and lying to federal investigators when he said he’d never had sex with prostitutes.
He has pleaded not guilty to those charges and his attorney has described the allegations as unfounded.
Last year, Columbus City Council approved a settlement of more than $1 million with Castleberry's family.