A judge declared a mistrial Monday after a woman said she told other jurors she couldn’t be “fair and impartial” and would miss an appointment that week, lawyer Scott King said Tuesday.

Paul Sloat, 29, of East Chicago, is accused of shooting a trucker in the chest on Aug. 22, 2022 as his father tried to prevent the driver from taking off. The men said the semi had just clipped their mirror off.

Sloat is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious bodily injury. He has pleaded not guilty.

He believed he was protecting his father, King argued.

The lawyer asked Judge Gina Jones for a mistrial after the juror was interviewed on the stand — not long after the jury was picked. Deputy Prosecutor Judy Massa agreed, he

See Full Page