Mistrial is declared in trial of Sikeston man

BENTON, Mo. -- A judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the jury trial against a Sikeston, Mo., man accused of armed criminal action and rape and sodomy charges.

Associate Circuit Court Judge Scott Horman ruled a mistrial at the request of Ronald Dean Sherrod's defense attorney, who claimed a statement made Thursday by a witness on the stand might prejudice the jury.

Sherrod, 60, was on trial in Scott County for sexually abusing a minor between 2006 and 2009. He was charged in May 2011 with multiple counts each of rape and armed criminal action, and several counts of forcible sodomy, all felonies.

Horman said mistrials are rare, and Thursday's mistrial marked the first one since he took office as a Scott County judge in 2007.

Thursday marked the second day of the trial, which began Wednesday at the Scott County Courthouse in Benton. The judge said a retrial with a different jury will likely take place at a later date.

Pertinent address:

Benton, Mo.

Sikeston, Mo.