Mistrial declared after lawyer forgets argument

updated 7:27 p.m. ET Jan. 26, 2007

FARMVILLE, Va. - A judge declared a mistrial in an attempted-murder case after the defense lawyer said he couldn't continue his closing statement because he had lost his train of thought.

Judge Ernest P. Gates Sr. also suggested that attorney James E. Sheffield seek medical help.

Gates declared the mistrial Thursday in the case of a man accused of shooting a police officer in the leg in 2005.

Sheffield, 74, a former judge, returned from a recess to say that he could not continue the closing argument.

Russell Smith, charged with attempted capital murder, malicious wounding and use of a firearm, offered to finish the job himself.

"This is about me," he told Gates.

The judge warned against it, and Smith requested the mistrial.

MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS

Weird news Section Front

‘Haunted’ Milwaukee hotel scares MLB teams Tot plays hide-and-seek much too well It's not slang! Nev. court permits ‘HOE’ license Iowans rethink Jackson butter statue Cops: Man went naked to dental appointment Turtles on runway delay flights in New York Drunken man shocks Spain with his generosity Drunken badger disrupts traffic in Germany Half-naked motorist to cops: I lost my pants Teacher sorry for mock wedding to 4th grader Weird news Section Front   Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: