LEBANON, Ohio -- Judge Robert Peeler declared a mistrial Friday afternoon in the case of Robert Ritchie, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangering because he did not seek medical treatment for his son, Austin, who was held in a bathtub of scalding water by his stepmother, Anna Ritchie.
Ritchie jury does not have a verdict. They're done discussing. Too far apart. Hung jury. @WCPO
— Jay Warren (@JayWarrenWCPO) December 2, 2016
The jury originally returned to the courtroom at 10:30 a.m. Friday, saying they could not reach a unanimous decision. Peeler sent them back to deliberate before they returned again around 1 p.m. Ritchie faced up to 11 years in prison on charges connected to his 4-year-old son's death.
The assistant prosecutor said the state needs two weeks' time to decide whether to try Ritchie again. Peeler granted an own recognizance bond for Ritchie and said there was no need for an ankle monitor in the interim.
