Crime & Safety

NAU Shooting Trial Judge Says No Mistrial

The judge denied a defense request but ordered jurors be given additional information.

There will not be a mistrial in the case of Steven Jones, accused of killing one person and injuring three others in a shooting at Northern Arizona University in 2015. The judge turned a defense request after a hearing Thursday.

Have Patch Send You Breaking News Alerts And Newsletters

Jones's lawyer made the request, arguing that the prosecutor had deceived jurors in closing arguments by stating Jones never claimed he had acted in self-defense until he was at the police station.

Find out what's happening in Across Arizonafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Jones had made statements right after the incident claiming he the had acted in self defense and thought he was going to die but prosecutors had the statements barred from the trial, arguing they had been self-serving.

The judge denied the request for a mistrial and also ruled that video of Jones making the statement while in the back of the police car could not be seen.

Find out what's happening in Across Arizonafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

He did, however, say that the jury would be informed of the prosecutor's misstatement and read Jones's statement to them.

They then resumed deliberations.

Image via ShutterStock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Across Arizona