Judge Grants Defense Motion for Mistrial Before Verdict is Read

BEAUMONT, Texas -- A Texas trial judge granted a defense motion for a mistrial in a benzene case just before jurors were to read their verdict in open court, sources told HarrisMartin. Thompson v. Arco Oil & Gas Co., No. E-0181199 (Texas Dist. Ct., Jefferson Cty.).

Judge Bob Wortham of the Texas 58th District Court for Jefferson County granted the motion for a mistrial on May 11. Sources told HarrisMartin that after four-and-a-half hours of deliberation, jurors announced that they had reached a verdict in the case. However, prior to reading the verdict, defense counsel moved for a mistrial on …