A Sedgwick County district judge has declared a mistrial for a Wichita man charged in a fatal crash that killed a 22-year-old pregnant woman.
The trial began this week for 38-year-old Javan Ervin, who was charged with first degree murder, aggravated battery and other counts. He was arrested in July, 2021 after his truck hit three vehicles at Central and Ridge Road during a chase with police. The crash killed Samantha Russell, who was 33 weeks pregnant. Doctors delivered her baby son, who survived.
After opening statements were presented Tuesday, a juror admitted reading media coverage of the case and telling other jurors about it. The judge found that juror to be in contempt of court and will make a first appearance on Friday.
The judge set a new trial for Ervin on June 5th.
