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Denver judge declares mistrial for Broncos linebacker DJ Williams in DUI case over jury issue
File - In this July 31, 2007, file photo, Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams listens to defensive coach Jim Bates during NFL football training camp in Denver. A Denver judge declared a mistrial for Williams in a misdemeanor DUI case, Monday, May 21, 2012. Another trial has been scheduled for Aug. 15. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
DENVER - Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams' trial on driving under the influence and traffic charges ended in a mistrial just hours after it began Monday after his lawyer objected to how jurors were selected.
Williams' lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, asked for the mistrial Monday just before opening statements were about to begin. He said he was only able to excuse two jurors instead of the three he was entitled to during jury selection.
Judge Andre L. Rudolph granted the request and scheduled another trial on the misdemeanour charges for Aug. 15.
Afterward, Rudolph declined requests to comment on what went wrong.
Steinberg said he told Rudolph about the problem after jurors were selected.
"It's a mistake in the math," Steinberg said.
Prosecutor Brian Dunn objected to a mistrial being called. He left without commenting, referring questions to the Denver District Attorney's Office. A spokeswoman didn't immediately return a call.
A jury of three men and three women, ranging in age from 20 to 61, were seated after questioning in the morning. A lunch recess was called and opening statements were scheduled to begin after the break.
Williams' trial has already been delayed several times, including last fall after he suffered a dislocated right elbow during a game.
He faces a multiple-game suspension from the league because it was his second such arrest in his seven seasons in Denver. The Broncos stripped him of his captain's title shortly after his arrest on Nov. 12, 2010.
Police say he was pulled over a little before 3 a.m., when he was spotted driving his car without headlights. He was cited with DUI and taken to a detox facility.
He was fined an undisclosed amount by the team.
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