Mistrial declared in the case of a Crisfield man accused of sexual abuse

Monday afternoon, in Wicomico County court,  a judge declared a mistrial in what was supposed to be day one of a Crisfield man accused of sexually abusing a nine-year old boy.

The judge rendered the proceedings invalid  because of a video played in court. The video was a  recorded interview with the victim. The prosecution and defense had apparently agreed to mute the video at a specific point  because of concerns a portion of the recording might influence the jury.

The part in question was when the victim apparently told the social worker that Stephens was already a sex offender, from a prior conviction back in 2004. However, in court prosecutors reportedly missed the cue to mute the video, and for that reason  the judge declared a mistrial.

Stephens still faces, one count of sexual abuse of a minor  and two counts of third degree sex offense among other charges. According to the court documents,  the charges came after the victim’s mother contacted police accusing James Stephens of reportedly molesting her child between August and October of last year.

A new trial date has not been set at this time, but officials tell 47 ABC Stephens will be held in custody until that new trial happens.