Crime & Safety

Judge Halts Jury Deliberations In NAU Shooting Trial

The judge is considering a defense motion for a mistrial.

The judge overseeing the Northern Arizona University shooting trial halted deliberations Wednesday as he announced that he would consider a defense motion for a mistrial. Lawyers for Steven Jones made the request, saying that prosecutors gave jurors incomplete information during closing arguments.

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Jones is charged with firing a gun at group of people at the university during a fight in 2015. One person was killed and three wounded.

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Jones's lawyer argues that jurors were not given complete information about when Jones claimed he fired in self-defense.

While prosecutors left the impression that Jones first asserted self-defense at the police station, his lawyers say he had made the claim almost immediately but the jury was never allowed to hear about it.

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The judge has scheduled a hearing for Thursday morning.

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