After deliberating for nearly six hours, a Mississippi County jury could not reach a verdict in the first-degree murder trial of Cordell Wells Jr.
After being encouraged by Circuit Judge Ralph Wilson Jr. to try harder to reach a decision, jurors said there was no way they would reach a decision, so Wilson was forced to declare a mistrial.
Wells was charged with the Nov. 6, 2009, murder of Adeowale "Wally" Adelowo, who died of multiple gunshot wounds in the carport of his residence.
Wells took the stand in his own defense, the only witness proffered by defense attorneys Bill Stanley and Ray Nickle of Jonesboro.
Wells told the jury that he and Adelowo worked together at Denso and that Adelowo had teased him about being slow.
"He called me 'Turtle,'" Wells said.
The defendant said he tried to ignore the taunts and teases because he was a temporary employee and wanted to be hired permanently. Wells said he never reported Adelowo's behavior to supervisors or managers, even after Adelowo threatened to "sick his goons on me," Wells said.
Adelowo accused Wells of egging his car on Halloween, which Wells denied, he testified.
Wells said that Adelowo had a gun in the locker room of the plant and showed it to him, but never threatened him with it at work.
On Nov. 6, Wells said he decided to confront Adelowo about his actions at work.
"I wanted to talk it out with him," Wells testified.
Wells told the jury that he got off work that day, went to get his paycheck and cash it, then went to his mother's house, raked leaves. When he was done, he "got his gun" and drove to Adelowo's home.
Wells claimed that Adelowo was confrontational and tackled Wells as he tried to leave.
"He put me in a choke hold and lifted me off my feet," Wells said.
Wells said he nearly passed out, but as Adelowo walked away, Wells said he heard Adelowo say "Let me go get my gun."
Wells claimed he was on the ground and fired two shots.
"I was trying to hit him in the leg," he said. "I wasn't trying to kill him. I just wanted to stop him so I could get away."
When Adelowo continued to try to get into his vehicle in the carport, Wells said he fired more shots, then saw the blood. "I was shocked. I was scared," Wells said.
Wells then ran, leaving his vehicle parked at the residence next door.
Wells testified that he ran because he didn't know what else to do.
"I have never been in trouble before," he said.
Under cross-examination by Deputy Prosecutor Curtis Walker Jr., Wells testified that his father, Cordell Wells Sr. had bought the .40-caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol for his son.
Walker asked Wells why he got his gun before going to Adelowo's house.
"I always keep my gun on me," Wells said.
When Walker asked why, Wells said, "Because this is Blytheville. Do you know how many murders we have here?"
Walker replied, "One of them in 2009 was your charge, wasn't it?"
Walker asked Wells if he saw Adelowo with a gun on Nov. 6. Wells said he did not, but since he had seen Adelowo with a gun previously, he assumed it was in Adelowo's vehicle.
Wells testified that he did not know how many shots he fired or where they hit Adelowo.
"It all happened so fast, I don't know how I was shooting," Wells said.
Walker asked Wells how he shot Adelowo square in the back if Wells was lying on the ground.
"I can't recall if I was on my back or not. I just remember me aiming for his leg. I was trying to get up, I know," Wells said.
The defense rested after Wells testified.
Nickle then entered a motion for a directed verdict in the case, claiming Prosecutor Scott Ellington and Walker had not proven the case.
Wilson denied the motion and allowed the case to go to the jury.
After closing arguments, the jury retired to deliberate at 2:30 p.m. The jury came back in at 6:30 and told the judge that they were split 11-1. They did not say whether they were in favor of conviction or acquittal.
The judge gave them additional instructions regarding the importance of reaching a verdict.
At 6:45, the jury returned to the courtroom and asked for a transcript of Wells' testimony and a law book.
Wilson told the jury they were not allowed by law to have those items, and that they could refer to any notes they took during trial.
At 7:30, the jury returned to the courtroom, saying they were still deadlocked. One juror told Wilson that he needed more evidence.
"I've got my mind made up, and they're not going to change it," the juror told the judge.
The juror offered to tell the judge his decision and Wilson stopped him, asking him instead to visit with him in the judge's chambers.
After visiting with the juror, the jury began deliberations again, only to return some 30 minutes later to report they could not reach a decision.
dhilton@blythevillecourier.com