Third Try Ends In Mistrial In CURobbery

RACINE, Wis. - (09/26/05) – A state jury was unable todeliver a unanimous verdict Friday in the third trial of RickyMcMorris for the 2000 armed hold-up at Belle City CU, embroilingprosecutors in a heated debate over whether to pursue a fourthtrial in the case. Defense attorneys for the 49-year-old suspectclaimed that McMorris’ brother, Charles McMorris is alikelier candidate for the crime because he was convicted of armedrobbery in 1994. He noted that the two brothers look alike. Theargument apparently confused the jury, which failed to come to aunanimous conclusion on the charges. The first trial for RickyMcMorris ended in a mistrial after his brother invoked his FifthAmendment right not to incriminate himself during testimony. Asecond trial ended in a hung jury on the armed robbery charge andMcMorris was convicted of a weapons charge. In the meantime,McMorris has gone through six court-appointed lawyers, eitherbecause they have withdrawn from the case or he has firedthem.