Mistrial declared in editor's slay trial

HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Members of a hung jury say there wasn't enough conclusive evidence to convict a former Hartford, Conn., newspaper editor of the murder of a man he'd just met.

Hartford Superior Court Judge Thomas Miano Tuesday declared a mistrial in the case of James Robertson, 65, who was charged with murdering Ralph Colon, 56, last year, The Hartford Courant reported. Robertson is a former travel editor, general assignment reporter and assistant night city editor for the newspaper.

The jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of convicting Robertson, but enough jurors had doubts about the evidence to declare a mistrial, Miano said. Prosecutors say Robertson shot and killed Colon, whom he had met earlier in the evening, after an argument. Robertson, however, claimed he shot Colon in self-defense.

"We didn't want to send someone to jail if we didn't have conclusive evidence," said Wadia Cowell, the jury forewoman.

Robertson remained in custody with bail set at $1.5 million, the newspaper said.