Hung jury results in second mistrial in Arizona

KINGMAN, Ariz. — Another hung jury has resulted in the second mistrial for a former editor for Guns & Ammo who shot and killed a neighbor during a drunken argument in the northwest Arizona community of Golden Valley.

Richard Venola, 54, was charged with second-degree murder in the May death of James Patrick O’Neill, 39.

Prosecutor Rod Albright said he will consult his superiors before determining whether he will dismiss the charges or try the case a third time.

Defense attorney Ron Gileo said 5-3 and 6-2 jury votes favoring acquittals in the separate trials indicate the case should be dismissed because of a solid argument for self-defense.

Venola had been an editor for the weapons magazine about three years, ending in 2010.