Mistrial Declared In Tourist’s Murder

A judge declared a second mistrial in the case of a teenager accused in the 1993 slaying of a British tourist at a highway rest area.

The jury deliberated seven hours Thursday before telling Circuit Judge F.E. Steinmeyer it was deadlocked on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and attempted armed robbery against John “Billy Joe” Crumitie, 18.

Earlier in the day, Crumitie took the stand and denied he had taken part in the botched robbery in which Gary Colley, 34, was fatally shot and his companion, Margaret Jagger, was wounded.

Two co-defendants, who testified that Crumitie did the shooting, pleaded guilty and received long prison sentences.