Judge declares mistrial in Cook case

A deadlocked jury has resulted in a mistrial in the case against Ashley Cook, who is charged with the murder of Bill Ross.

Cook, 23, is charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit first degree murder in the Feb. 14, 2007, murder of Ross, a Shelbyville car salesman.

Judge Robert Crigler granted the defense motion for a mistrial after the jury in the case deliberated over a four-day period.

"Of course, we are sorely disappointed with this result, but we will not allow all the work of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or the District Attorney General's office go for naught," District Attorney General Chuck Crawford said.

"We are prepared to try this case again, as soon as the Court's busy schedule permits," Crawford said. "Our belief in the defendant's guilt remains unshaken."

"The jury spent a lot of time in deliberation and obviously they couldn't reach a decision. That's the purpose of the jury system and the defense council and Ms. Cook really appreciates their time and efforts and their sincere effort to try to resolve this case," defense attorney Jack Dearing said.

"But for whatever reason, they couldn't," Dearing said.

One juror told the T-G outside the courthouse that jurors had debated it "5 million ways," but everyone on the jury had made up their minds and won't change it.

Crigler had stated at 9 Friday morning that he would ask the jury at 10:30 a.m. whether it was hopelessly deadlocked; however, minutes before that was to occur, a question came from jurors asking if 10 voted for first degree murder but two were opposed, could they convict her of second degree murder.

Doing so would have skipped over the next lesser charge of facilitation of first degree murder.

After hearing arguments for an hour from the defense and prosecution on the wording of the answer, Crigler called the jury back to the court room.

Crigler told jurors that Cook must be proven guilty of the charge of first degree murder unanimously, if not, then they were to consider the next lesser charge. The judge then asked if the jury was hopelessly deadlocked.

Within 10 minutes the jury passed a note to the judge that they were deadlocked. Crigler then granted the defense's mistrial motion.

Bill Ross was shot three times while he slept in his bed at his Wartrace Pike home. His wife, 38-year-old Kimberly Ann Ross, was sentenced to life in prison last November after pleading guilty to first degree murder for her role in planning the slaying.

Crawford claims Cook pulled the trigger while Young, 20, allegedly loaded the gun and let Cook enter the home to shoot Ross in order to make the death look like part of a home invasion.

Dearing said earlier this week that while Cook may be guilty of pulling the trigger, she should not be found guilty of conspiracy or premeditated murder.