Mistrial declared in Indianapolis murder-for-hire case
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A mistrial has been declared in a double-homicide case of an Indianapolis man who was charged in a murder-for-hire scheme that authorities say led to the fatal shootings of four men in early 2014.
A jury on Wednesday couldn’t reach a verdict in the case of John Means, who was on trial for the slayings of Carlos Jefferson and Julius Douglas.
His lawyer says prosecutors have no weapon, witness, DNA or fingerprints linking Means to the killings. Prosecutors say evidence includes text messages and a letter. They also say that informants told police Means bragged in jail about committing the killings.
Prosecutors say an Indianapolis drug dealer arranged the killings. A date for a possible new trial wasn’t immediately set. Means also is awaiting trial in another double-slaying.
