Jury locks in 14-year-old case

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2000 | 11:08 a.m.

Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach declared the mistrial Monday in the case of Rodrigo Ramos Chavez after the jury deadlocked at 6-6.

Chavez, 42, was accused of stabbing Robert Eliot in 1986 during an argument over a dog in an apartment swimming pool.

Chavez maintained he feared for his life and was acting in self defense. But prosecutors said Eliot was unarmed and posed no immediate threat to Chavez.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Karl Hall said he intends to seek a new trial date and prosecute the case again.

Chavez had fled the area after police issued a warrant for his arrest 14 years ago. Police say he was using an alias in Mexico and Los Angeles and was arrested when he returned to Reno last year.

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