Collings mistrial declared because potential jurors knew too much about case

A judge declared a mistrial in the capital murder case against Chris Collings Saturday because too many jurors knew too much about the case:

The Phelps County Circuit Clerk's Office assembled a jury pool of about 200 people last Wednesday. By Saturday afternoon, the judge and the attorneys decided about two-thirds of them knew too much about the case, or had formed opinions about it, or couldn't keep an open mind about whether Collings should get a death penalty or life prison sentence if he is guilty.


Sheffield granted a defense attorney's motion for a change of venue after declaring the mistrial. She hasn't decided if that means the trial will be in a different county or whether to bring a jury from another county to hear the case here. The judge scheduled a motions hearing for May 3 at 10 a.m. to hear from attorneys about possible dates and venues for a new trial.

Collings is one of two men charged with the brutal November 2007 rape and murder of nine-year-old Rowan Ford of Stella.