EXCLUSIVE: Juror Speaks out following Andrew Jett mistrial
By: Samantha Fenlon
Email: news@abc6.com
Twitter: @ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – A judge declared a second mistrial Monday for convicted killer Andrew Jett.
The 58-year-old is charged with the 2012 stabbing death of East Providence grandmother Michelle Busby.
The murder happened three years after Jett was paroled for killing a previous girlfriend in the early 90’s.
"For what was presented to me. I would have to find him not guilty based on the evidence that was presented or lack of I should say," said Donna Longo Kumes.
Longo-Kumes was one of the members of the jury dismissed Monday after two weeks of testimony.
The judge ended the trial citing multiple discovery violations on the part of the prosecution.
"It was a surprise to all of the jurors," said Longo-Kumes.
Family of Busby tells ABC 6 News that they are disappointed by the set back.
The girlfriend of the 50-year-old’s son Ross speaking on behalf of the family.
"We’re just very eager to have justice, it’s been 5 years we just want closure," said Natasha Melo.
"Michelle was a very loving grandmother, everyone talks about her cooking, softball size meatballs, cookouts, card playing, opinionated, strong woman. Ross and Skyla were her world."
This was the second mistrial in a matter of weeks. The last one happening just last month.
"Ross just wants justice," said Melo. "Ross wants to know why this happened. He wants closure."
Even with all the new information she’s learned since being dismissed from the jury, Longo-Kumes says the case she heard against Jett wasn’t strong enough for her to convict him.
"Is he capable of it, yes. But, did the state prove that he did this? Did they look at anyone else? No, they didn’t," said Longo-Kumes.
"I may think that he could’ve done this definitely but the evidence didn’t support it."
A spokeswoman for the Attorney General tells ABc 6 the state is prepared to move on with a third trial, but adds that no date has been set.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017
