Judge declares mistrial in case of Texas man accused of killing at least 18 women

A judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a Texas man who is accused of killing at least 18 women. 

Judge Raquel Jones on Friday declared a mistrial in the case of Billy Chemirmir after the jury deliberated for 11 hours over two days and declared a deadlock four times, The Dallas Morning News reported. 

The notes say one juror would not “deliberate from her vote,” although it is unclear whether the 11 other jurors supported a conviction or acquittal. 

Chemirmir was arrested in 2018 after an elderly woman said he broke into her apartment and attacked her. Police discovered documents in the woman’s home that Chemirmir threw away that led police to the home of Lu Thi Harris, who was found dead.

Following the arrest, police connected Chemirmir to 17 other murders, according to the local outlet. 

Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot told the outlet the county will retry the case.

Defense attorney Kobby Warren said the state did not present enough evidence to reach the standard of reasonable doubt to convict Chemirmir.

Families of the victims have been watching from a different room in the courthouse due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We are devastated at the outcome of this trial,” Loren Adair-Smith, the daughter of one victim, said. “We are sickened that we have to come back and hear the same evidence again.”

The Hill has reached out to the district attorney and Warren for comment.