Mistrial declared in 2010 terroristic threat case - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Mistrial declared in 2010 terroristic threat case

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Brandon Polley was indicted on 21 counts, including terroristic threatening, kidnapping, and wanton endangerment. Brandon Polley was indicted on 21 counts, including terroristic threatening, kidnapping, and wanton endangerment.
MADISONVILLE, KY (WFIE) -

In Hopkins County, a mistrial has been declared in the case against Brandon Polley.

Two years ago, a grand jury indicted Polley on 21 counts, including terroristic threatening, kidnapping, and wanton endangerment.

A trial expected to last six days for a man who led law enforcement on a manhunt two years ago will have to wait a few more months to get underway.

"This is the first time in the 18 years that I've done this job that we've actually had a mistrial because we've exhausted the entire jury panel," said Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Kathy Senter.

Senter says the judge declared a mistrial when attorneys went through the jury pool without agreeing on who should be seated. She says some jurors were excused because of connections to either party.

"Both sides want jurors who are going to be fair and impartial and who only decide the case based on the evidence presented at trial," Senter said.

Polley is accused of escaping from police custody, stealing a deputy's vehicle, and also holding several people hostage at gunpoint while on the loose.

According to police, no one was injured during the hold up.

The hostage negotiator during that incident, Danny Hopper, says he's not surprised there was a mistrial because of the magnitude of this case.

"It's hard to find that many people that haven't read or heard or been told something about that case," Hopper said.

Senter says, if convicted, of all the charges, Polley could face anywhere from 20 years to life in prison.

"Fortunately, this type of thing doesn't occur often here in our community thank goodness and when it does yes it is a big deal throughout the community and people pay attention to it and I'm sure they're anxious to see the outcome," said Hopper.

Court officials expect the trial to resume sometime early next year.

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