The trial of a Clinton County man, Travis Slone, accused in relation to the death of James D. Guffey last September, ended in a mistrial and hung jury following a trial last week in Clinton Circuit Court. The victim is the son of Albany Police Chief Ernest Guffey.

Slone, in his late 20s, was at trial on manslaughter charges in relation to the shooting death of Guffey that occurred at a residence on Hwy. 738 (Wolf River Dock Road) in Albany on September 12, 2016.

The defendant has claimed his actions were in self defense.

Slone was originally charged with murder by Kentucky State Police, which led the investigation. However, in early November of last year, a Clinton County Grand Jury returned a true bill on the lesser charge of manslaughter first degree.

The two-day trial was held in Clinton Circuit Court before Circuit Judge David L. Williams. A jury was seated and testimony began on Wednesday, May 31 and the trial ended in the early evening hours of Thursday, June 1, according to court records.

Court proceedings, according to the court calendar on file in the Circuit Clerk’s office, stated “a jury trial was conducted in the matter on May 31-June 1. The Commonwealth was represented by (Commonwealth Attorney) Jesse M. Stockton and (Assistant Commonwealth Attorney) Clay Hundley. The defendant was represented by Bard Shuffett and Lacy Andrews, attorney with the Public Advocacy’s office.

“The jury heard testimony, viewed exhibits and heard summations by respective counsel. After being appropriately instructed by this Court, the jury deliberated four (4) hours and then informed the Court that they could not reach a unanimous verdict. This Court declared a mistrial.”

According to Kentucky State Police reports at the time of the approximate 2 p.m. incident, Guffey, 53, was killed during an altercation with the defendant. The victim was transported to The Medical Center at Albany where he was pronounced deceased.

In later court proceedings, Slone entered pleas of not guilty and appeared in court on various pretrial conferences prior to the jury trial being held last week.

The jury’s inability to reach a unanimous decision has put the court proceedings on hold, but the case will continue through the court system.

The defendant remains incarcerated and the Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.

At the conclusion of the trial last week, the court scheduled a pretrial conference in the case for this coming Friday, June 9 at 9 a.m. A new trial date could be scheduled either during that proceeding or sometime later.