Two Child-Related Trials End in Mistrials

Two criminal trials ended in mistrials on Oct. 15. In McLennan County, Texas, jurors deadlocked 9-3 in the trial of Brien Keith Coleman, charged with indecency with a child; prosecutors will decide whether to retry him, and he remains free on bond. In Pender County, North Carolina, a judge declared a mistrial in David Prevatte’s murder and child-sex-offense case after jurors reported that panel members discussed information and allegations about Prevatte that were not presented at trial. The judge’s inquiry uncovered disputed comments about Prevatte’s background and criminal history, and the resulting concerns about multiple jurors’ conduct led the court to conclude the trial could not fairly continue.