SALISBURY — A judge declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked during a brief trial for Murphy Leroy Corpening, Jr. who was charged with the 2009 attempted murder of George Ellis.
On July 4, 2009, the Salisbury Police responded to an incident involving a man with a gun.
Police reports say Corpening walked up to Ellis, who was just outside his home at 212 Myron Place, standing with the defendant’s mother, Marie Granford.
Corpening pointed a gun at Ellis and pulled the trigger twice, a report said. The gun misfired both times.
Officers gave no indication of a motive.
The trial began Tuesday with jury selection and concluded Thursday afternoon when jurors could not reach a verdict after hours of deliberation.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.