A McDonough County jury was unable to reach a verdict in the murder trial of a Macomb man.
Timothy Smith, 41, is accused of beating to death his cellmate in the McDonough County jail in November 2023.
Darrell Hocker, 51, was struck repeatedly in the head, neck, and chest. He was pronounced dead at McDonough District Hospital.
Judge Nigel Graham declared a mistrial on Thursday after jurors announced that they could not reach a verdict.
Smith will continue to be detained.
Another hearing in the case is scheduled for early August.
The county, Sheriff Nick Petitgout, and jail staff are named in a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by Hocker’s daughter.
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