A judge declared a mistrial Monday afternoon in the double homicide of a woman and her daughter in March 2009.
Former UPS worker Jason Thomas Scott of Upper Marlboro, Md., was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of nurse Delores Dewitt and her 20-year-old daughter, Ebony, a student. Their bodies were found in a burning car in Largo, Md.
Scott already was sentenced to 100 years in prison for crimes committed during more than 50 burglaries and nine armed home invasion robberies. Among his convictions: Armed carjacking, producing child pornography, sexually assaulting a minor and stealing firearms.
Earlier in the murder trial, the judge ruled the prosecution could make reference to just one home invasion, but an ATF agent testifying for the prosecution Monday referenced multiple home invasions. The defense objected and requested a mistrial.
The judge granted the mistrial, ruling that the references to multiple home invasions could bias the jury, and sent the jury home.
The prosecution will retry Scott.
Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said the judge's ruling was fair - and that she'd rather have it come now than after the entire trial was completed. She also said she intends to bring the charges again, with a trial as soon as mid-October.
ATF Agent David Chetlak called Scott one of the most dangerous people he'd ever come across when Scott was setenced in January 2012.
"He's not committing these crimes as part of a gang initiation or any type of criminal enterprise," Chetlak said. "He was just a sociopath who basically ... was excited about committing these acts."
Scott used a database at the UPS facility where he worked to target homes, prosecutors said. He was arrested after someone told agents that Scott was selling weapons out of the trunk of his car.
Police also believe Scott may be linked to the killings of three other people, including another Prince George's County nurse and her daughter. Forty-five-year-old Karen Lofton and her 16-year-old daughter Karissa were found shot to death inside their locked home in January 2009.
Scott has not been charged in that case.
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