BENTONVILLE — A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday when a prospective juror mentioned the accused man resides at the county jail.
Sixty prospective jurors reported to Circuit Judge Robin Green' courtroom Wednesday morning in Ronald Fennell's criminal trial.
Fennell, 47, of Bella Vista is charged with terroristic threatening in the first degree, a Class D felony, and two counts of harassment, a Class A misdemeanor.
Green asked prospective jurors whether they knew Fennell. Fennell, who was dressed in civilian clothing and not jail attire, stood and faced the crowd.
One prospective juror -- a jail deputy -- stood and said he knew Fennell because Fennell was in custody. The judge attempted to interrupt him, but her attempt failed.
"I'm declaring a mistrial due to the statement a potential juror made about him being in custody," Green said of Fennell.
The proceedings lasted only about 11 minutes.
Fennell is scheduled to report to court today, and the judge will select a new trial date.
Fennell is accused of making threats during a phone conversation with state Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs.
Fennell complained to Hester about the Bentonville Police Department. He accused department employees of telling lies and committing perjury. Fennell told Hester he was bullied, and his career had been ruined.
"If information like this gets out to the public, that's what makes people go into courthouses and police departments with assault weapons," court documents quote Fennell telling Hester.
The harassment charges involves incidents when Fennell attended a fundraising event at Cooper Elementary School in Bella Vista and the swimming pool in Bentonville.
Fennell was being held Wednesday in the Benton County Jail with a $350,000 bond.
NW News on 04/10/2014