NEW BOSTON, Texas-A mistrial was declared Thursday after a Bowie County jury was unable to reach a verdict in the trial of a man accused of attacking an elderly supervisor after being fired.
Michael Gibson allegedly attacked a 65-year-old man Feb. 2, 2014, who was undergoing chemotherapy, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The elderly supervisor was instructed by the owner of Williams Hauling and Towing to tell Gibson to clean out his truck because his services were no longer needed.
The alleged victim claims Gibson attacked without provocation. Gibson claims the alleged victim was the aggressor and that he acted to defend himself and put a stop to the physical confrontation.
After listening to testimony Wednesday and closing arguments Thursday morning, the jury deadlocked, according to notes sent to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell by the foreman during deliberations.
Gibson is represented by Texarkana lawyer Josh Potter. First Assistant District Attorney Michael Shepherd, and Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter handled the prosecution.
Tidwell scheduled a pretrial hearing for Gibson in October.
Gibson is charged with injury to an elderly individual. He faced two to 10 years in prison had he been convicted.