Delores L. Walker, Free Press Reporter
The morning went smoothly as a jury was seated at Lafayette County Courthouse for the trial of D'Anterio Johnson.
Johnson was in court to face alleged charges of selling crack cocaine within 1000 ft. of a church in Lafayette County. If convicted, Johnson could face a 30 year sentence.
As the court convened after the lunch break information learned during the lunch hour brought a turn of events for the accused.
According to Public Defender Lee Peters who was the court appointed attorney for Johnson, he gained information that he was the representing attorney for Johnson and the state witness against Johnson. Peters said it was a conflict of interest and Johnson had the right to call for a new attorney and a new trial, which Johnson immediately did.
The jurors were dismissed by Lafayette County Judge Harlow H. Land, Jr. who ruled a mistrial, appointed Johnson a new attorney with a new court date set for some time in the coming year.
Johnson was returned to custody at Lafayette County Jail where he has been held since his arrest June 17.
