A longstanding murder mystery has hit yet another stumbling block as a Massachusetts jury failed to come to a verdict in the trial of Marvin "Skip" McClendon Jr., the former corrections officer accused of killing 11-year-old Melissa Ann Tremblay in 1988. A judge has declared a mistrial, the Essex County District Attorney's office confirmed.
The deadlock came after 29 hours of deliberation over the case. McClendon, 76, had been arrested last year in Alabama after being charged with the murder of Tremblay, whose body was discovered in a Lawrence, Massachusetts, train yard the day after she was reported missing. According to Boston 25 News, new technology was pivotal in tying McClendon to the crime, however, the jurors could not reach a unanimous decision.
During the trial, prosecutors underscored the connection between DNA evidence found on the victim and McClendon's relatives, pointing out that he was the only left-handed family member. This detail was considered significant as the investigation suggested the killer was left-handed, NECN reported. Despite the evidence presented, the jury remained split, prompting the declaration of a mistrial.
McClendon's attorney, Henry Fasoldt, said, “Mr. McClendon maintains his innocence and I believe he’s innocent,” a sentiment obtained by Boston 25 News.
Meanwhile, the Essex County District Attorney’s office expressed its intent to retry the case"We are confident in the evidence we have and we look forward to a retrial," District Attorney Paul Tucker told The Eagle Tribune. A new trial date has yet to be scheduled, and it remains unclear if McClendon, who was held without bail before this month's trial, will be released on bail pending the retrial.
