Because of problems with selecting a jury, a judge has declared a mistrial in the case of an Austin police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a man.
The trial of officer Christopher Taylor will be reset for June, attorneys said Friday.
Taylor fatally shot Mike Ramos in 2020 in a parking lot in Southeast Austin after a group of officers responded to a 911 call reporting that a person possibly involved in a drug deal had a gun. It is believed to be the first time an Austin police officer has been charged with murder for an incident while on duty.
More:Murder trial to begin for Austin police officer in 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos
Judge Dayna Blazey declared a mistrial during the jury selection process after defense attorneys filed a motion for one on Friday.
Blazey said there were problems picking a jury this week, including potential jurors having vacation plans and reporting not feeling safe. A mysterious envelope was placed on one potential juror’s car parked outside the courthouse, Blazey said during the court proceedings.
A jury had been picked on Monday, but the entire panel was dismissed because the courtroom doors had been locked, preventing the public from viewing the process.
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As of Friday, the attorneys only had seven jurors picked for the trial and needed a total of 14. Blazey said another jury panel with 100 people to choose from won’t be available until June 5.