Stephen MobleyJurors Tuesday announced they had come to an impasse in the case of Stephen Mobley, prompting a judge to declare a mistrial. Now, the state will have to reconsider whether to prosecute the man at all.
Prosecutors say he shot Lashonda Gonzalez and killed Gregory Watkins at a Brainerd Road gas station in 2012. In the case that Assistant District Attorney Lance Pope presented to the jury, Mobley set out to shoot Watkins because he was dissatisfied with the quality of cocaine Watkins had sold him a few weeks before. Mobley’s cousin, Taylor, set up the deal and arranged to trade back the drugs.
Mobley, 31, is charged with murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The state’s case hinged on the testimony of Constance Taylor, a cousin of Mobley’s who said she watched him shoot Gregory Watkins and his girlfriend, Lashonda Gonzalez, in June 2012.
But Taylor has already admitted she lied to police about her whereabouts that night. She originally told them she watched the shooting from a turn lane, and didn’t immediately name Mobley as the shooter.
Defense attorney John Wysong said jurors told him Taylor’s testimony created doubt.