The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office:
A Mendocino County Superior Court jury returned from its deliberations last Thursday (July 11) to announce it was hopelessly deadlocked and would not be able to reach unanimous verdicts. After the foreperson was questioned by the trial judge as to whether further deliberations might be fruitful, a mistrial was declared.
Defendant Clayton Joel Sternick, age 44, of Willits remains charged with driving a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug, driving a motor vehicle on a suspended license due to a prior DUI conviction with prior convictions for same, hit-and-run driving, failure to show proof of auto insurance, and driving a motor vehicle with an expired registration.
After last week’s jury was excused, the defendant’s case was reset for trial in front of a new jury to begin August 26, 2024.
