NEWPORT BEACH : Mistrial Declared in Nurse’s Murder

A mistrial was declared Friday in a trial involving the murder of a 55-year-old Irvine nurse, after jurors told the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked after six days of deliberation.

The jurors had voted 9-3 against a first-degree murder conviction for 18-year-old James Murrell Ferris, who had been living at the victim’s home shortly before her death last August. The jurors then considered a second-degree murder verdict. This time they were deadlocked 10 for guilty, two for not guilty.

Superior Court Judge Ragnar E. Engebretson has ordered Ferris returned to court on May 29 so prosecutors can decide on a new trial date.

The nurse, Eleen Casey, disappeared on Aug. 20, 1989. Four days later, police found Ferris in her apartment with a 14-year-old girlfriend. He was arrested on suspicion of unlawful intercourse with a minor.

A week later, police discovered Casey’s body in her bedroom. She had apparently been there while Ferris was in the apartment with the girl.

Casey was found with her pajamas turned inside out and a bloody wound to the back of her neck. Police found blood splatters on Ferris’ shirt.

Ferris’ attorney, Joel W. Baruch, argued that Ferris more than likely found her lying on the floor of the living room and carried her to the bedroom, which is how he got blood on his shirt. Then, he probably put her pajamas on her, Baruch said.

The lawyer further argued that there was no evidence to show premeditation even if Ferris did kill her. He also said that medical experts could not rule out that she may have died from heart trouble instead of the wound on her head.

Prosecutors argued, however, that Ferris had gone to her home to steal from her.