Mistrial declared in deadly Everett bus shooting over prosecutor ‘errors’
EVERETT, Wash. - Alejandro Meza of Lake Stevens, Washington, was convicted in October of first-degree manslaughter for killing a stranger on an Everett bus.
But on Wednesday, a judge in Snohomish County Superior Court ordered a mistrial in the case, The Daily Herald reported.
Judge Richard Okrent agreed with Meza’s defense attorney that an accumulation of "errors" at trial by the deputy prosecutor in the case may have prejudiced the jury when it convicted the defendant.
Okrent said deputy prosecutor Adam Sturdivant "misled the jury" and violated Meza’s constitutional rights with several statements, including comments about Meza’s right to remain silent and a reference to the killing of Gene Peterson, 33, as an "execution."
Snohomish County Prosecutor Adam Cornell said his leadership team would review court documents to decide what to do next, which could include appealing the decision.
Meza was charged with second-degree murder for Peterson’s death on a Community Transit bus. The defendant was going to work in Mukilteo on March 7 last year.
Meza got into a fight with Peterson, of Everett. According to Meza’s trial testimony, Meza had confronted Peterson about smoking drugs on the bus.
Lake Stevens man charged with murder for fatal bus shooting in Everett
A Lake Stevens man who claimed self-defense when he shot and killed a passenger on a Community Transit bus last month has been charged in Snohomish County Superior Court with second-degree murder.
Meza testified this conversation went "not as planned." He also claimed Peterson threatened to put him "to sleep."
Peterson punched him in the face, surveillance video showed.
A fight ensued in the aisle. Meza felt a hand on his waist where he kept his gun. He thought it was Peterson’s hand, he said. Security footage showed it was the hand of Peterson’s friend reaching in.
Meza then fired a shot into Peterson’s stomach. He told police the first shot was an accident. He then shot Peterson again, intentionally, police said Meza told them.
After a weeklong trial, a jury convicted Meza of a lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter.
"This is a very difficult case with a difficult set of facts and very difficult sets of interpretations," Okrent said Wednesday.
Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.
Stay connected with FOX 13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: FOX 13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: FOX 13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: FOX 13 on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram