Defense in Racine officer homicide case asks for mistrial after juror COVID-19 contact

The defense in a trial over the homicide of Racine Police Officer John Hetland is asking for a mistrial after a juror came in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

A COVID-19 EXPOSURETEMPORARILY HALTED THE TRIALOF MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING ANOFF-DUTY RACINE POLICE OFFICER.A JUROR HAS NOW BEEN DISMISSEDFROM THE CASE.REBECCA KLOPFEXPLAINS WHY THE COURT DECIDEDTO KEEP GOING WITH THE TRIAL.Racine County is holding oneof its first jury trials sinceCOVID-19 started.

Yesterday, ajuror found out they wereexposed to someone COVID-19positive, but a rushed testhelp to keep the case on track.Take pkg Before the trial ofDalquavis (Dal-quay-Vus) Wardcould get back underway thisafternoon the court had towait to find out the healthstatus of a juror.Yesterday-the court abruptly adjournedwith no explanation after thejudge found out the juror hadbeen exposed to someone withCOVID-19.

Judge13:08:16 "Thecourt agreed to taking stepsto have the juror be testedfor COVID-19." The juror wasdismissed so they couldquarantine as required.

Thehealth department worked withthe courts to expedite a testfor the juror and after theresults came back negative,health officials said thetrial could move forwardButdefense attorneys called for amistrial.

SotCharles GlynnDefense Attorney13:13:11 Ijust don't think we can gothrough fairly.(Butt)13:13:22I don't think what anyonewants to do is run the risk ofdoing this twice or doing thisagain another time.

The judgeultimately decided Ward who isaccused of killing off-dutyOfficer John Hetland ácan geta fair trial.

Prosecutorsmoved forward by calling awitness who testified aboutthe DNA found in Teesers barand on Hetland's body after hewas shot and killed.Prosecutors say Hetland triedto tackle Ward as he wasrobbing the bar and the proofof Ward's guilt is the DNAinvestigators found.

MichaelGraveleyKenosha CountyDistrict Attorney15:09Dalquavis Ward's DNA is onJohn Hetland's ForesnicPatholigst 15:10 Yes (End) Thedefense is arguing Ward's DNAcould have been put in the barand on Hetland's enforcementwho had investigated past.Theysay Ward Reporting in Racine,Rebecca Klopf TMJ4 News.