DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park declared a mistrial on July 2 for a defendant accused of killing his foster sister after the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Michael Wells, 55, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder while armed, tampering with physical evidence, arson, and two counts of possession of a firearm for a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his 23-year-old foster sister, Makia Mosby.
The incident occurred at Mosby’s home on the 1200 block of Valley Avenue, SE, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2005. Mosby sustained burns and gunshot wounds.
After less than six days of deliberations, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The prosecution argued the murder may have been in retaliation for Mosby’s suspected complicity in the killing of Wells’ best friend.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 22 to determine how the case will proceed.
