Jury unable to reach verdict in murder trial

URBANA – A Champaign County jury Thursday could not reach a verdict in the case of an Urbana man accused of participating in the murder of a Chicago man in Champaign 10 years ago.

Judge Tom Difanis declared a mistrial for Erick Johnson, 28, who was charged with the March 2, 1997, murder of Timothy Payton, 20, at the Mansard Square Apartment complex at 408 E. Beardsley Ave., C. Jurors deliberated for about seven hours and, during that time, sent the judge three notes saying they were deadlocked. Difanis set the case for retrial in January.

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