FAYETTEVILLE, AR (KNWA) – A mistrial has been declared in the murder trial of a former University of Arkansas football player.
In August 2013, Joshua Melton, 34, was accused of killing his friend after a night of drinking.
The Washington County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says the mistrial was declared today after a second juror dropped out on Tuesday and there were no alternates.
The state lost one juror on Monday and replaced them with an alternate.
The trial has now been reset to October 20.
The victim in the case, Michael Gover, 30, was found dead inside Melton’s home at 6316 W. Copper Ridge Lane in Fayetteville. Melton was arrested on charges of second degree murder.
According to a police report, Melton said he and his friend had been drinking when Melton passed out and woke up to find Gover had vomited on the floor. Melton said he confronted the victim about the mess and told police he then went into a “rage,” punching Gover several times.
Melton was an Offensive lineman for the Razorbacks from 1998 to 2002.
