Judge declares mistrial in Uniontown homicide case
A mistrial was declared Monday in the case of a Fayette County man accused of fatally shooting a woman outside a Uniontown bar.
Terrell Jones, 35, of Uniontown, is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Samatha Harden, 34. Police alleged Jones killed Harden outside of McPatton’s Pub on North Gallatin Avenue in Uniontown on June 23, 2022
Jones’ trial was scheduled to start Monday. About two minutes into jury selection, Judge Nancy D. Vernon asked prospective jurors if they knew Jones. A woman raised her hand and told the judge she knew Jones from the Washington County jail, where he is being held, said District Attorney Mike Aubele.
“That implied he was incarcerated, which the judge determined tainted the jury pool,” he said.
Jones is also facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm, two counts of attempted homicide, and three counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and reckless endangerment.
Aubele said mistrials have happened occasionally for similar reasons.
“It’s unfortunate,” he said. “It’s nobody’s fault, but we have to ensure the defendant gets a fair trial.”
He plans to retry the case in May.