Jury Deadlocked in Attempted Murder Trial

Kenyon D. Kellum case ends in mistrial after jury fails to reach a verdict

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The jury in the Kenyon D. Kellum attempted murder trial was unable to reach a verdict after deliberating for a full day. The case will now go to a retrial as the judge declared a mistrial. Kellum is accused of stabbing a 37-year-old man near a Subway restaurant in Niles, Ohio.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions, even with evidence like cellphone video, when juries are unable to unanimously agree on a verdict. It also raises questions about the details of the incident and the mental state of the accused that led to the jury deadlock.

The details

Kenyon D. Kellum, 52, is accused of stabbing a 37-year-old man near a Subway restaurant in Niles, Ohio. The victim suffered a stab wound to the neck and shoulder area and went into cardiac arrest, but was revived by doctors. Kellum's girlfriend, Zulekha M. Berry, 46, was also charged with attempted murder and complicity to felonious assault for her alleged role in the incident.

  • The jury began deliberations on Tuesday after closing arguments.
  • The jury deliberated for a full day on Wednesday without reaching a verdict.
  • The judge declared a mistrial on Wednesday afternoon.

The players

Kenyon D. Kellum

The 52-year-old defendant accused of attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a man near a Subway restaurant in Niles, Ohio.

Zulekha M. Berry

Kellum's 46-year-old girlfriend who was also charged with attempted murder and complicity to felonious assault for her alleged role in the incident.

The Victim

A 37-year-old man who was stabbed in the neck and shoulder area and went into cardiac arrest, but was revived by doctors.

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What they’re saying

“His son is at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in a program that focuses on brain injuries and helping them reestablish a 'connection to the next level of perception of what is going on and connecting with people.' He said his son is 'profoundly disabled' and cannot communicate.”

— The Victim's Father (tribtoday.com)

What’s next

The case will now go to a retrial as the judge declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities of attempted murder trials, where juries must weigh evidence and testimony to determine intent and culpability. The inability of this jury to reach a unanimous decision underscores the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions, even with seemingly compelling evidence like cellphone video.