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Judges Declares Mistrial In Murder Case When Juror Goes Into Labor

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A Mecklenburg County judge declared a mistrial in a murder case Thursday after a member of the jury went into premature labor as deliberations were set to resume.

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s office says jury deliberations began Wednesday in the trial of Lionel Price, 32, who is charged in the murder of Frederick Butler, 40.

State law prohibits the court from replacing a juror with an alternate after deliberations have begun.

Butler was found with multiple gunshot wounds at a northwest Charlotte home in April of 2016. Price is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree burglary.

Marshall came to WFAE after graduating from Appalachian State University, where he worked at the campus radio station and earned a degree in communication. Outside of radio, he loves listening to music and going to see bands - preferably in small, dingy clubs.