PHOENIX — The jury in the penalty phase of the Ian Mitcham trial could not reach a decision, resulting in a mistrial.
In April, Mitcham was convicted of the 2015 murder of Scottsdale woman Allison Feldman, along with sexual assault and burglary charges stemming from the attack at her home.
On Wednesday, jurors informed the judge they had reached an impasse in the sentencing phase. They were brought into the courtroom during an afternoon hearing, where the judge instructed them to resume deliberations and continue working toward a verdict.
By 4 p.m., the jury was still at an impasse and the judge declared a mistrial
Under Arizona law, jurors must agree unanimously to impose the death penalty.
The latest developments follow a disruption in proceedings a day earlier.
On Tuesday, a juror was removed from the panel after making a comment, the details of which have not been disclosed. An alternate juror was then seated, and the panel was instructed to begin deliberations anew.
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The judge has scheduled sentencing on two counts for Thursday morning.
The county attorney will now decide whether to retry the penalty phase or to agree to a sentence of life in prison.
RELATED: Harley Feldman fought for justice for his daughter, murdered in Scottsdale. Less than a month after a conviction, he has died.
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