A mistrial has been declared in the murder trial of Bryan Daniels, the local man charged in connection with the May 2009 death of his son, Kayden Branham, after efforts to seat a jury on Tuesday, June 19 failed.

The case had been moved from Wayne County to Russell County earlier this year, when court officials conceded that it would be difficult to empanel a local jury.

It appears the effort hit a similar roadblock in Russell County on Tuesday, as jury selection continued throughout most of the day before the mistrial was declared.

According to Russell Circuit Clerk Tony Kerr, the jury pool of about 75 was exhausted at about 1:30 p.m. They were unable to obtain 32 jurors, which is the first step to selecting a jury.

Kerr noted that many of the potential jurors who reported for duty had already heard about the case. He said the number of potential jurors was down somewhat because of the time of year, when many people are on vacation.

Daniels is the first of four defendants to be tried in connection with the death of his 20-month-old son. Officers have stated that the boy drank drain cleaner that was used to make methamphetamine.

Also charged with murder are James Hunt and Danny Ray Anderson II. The three men are also charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, controlled substance endangerment to a child and engaging in organized crime.

Larry Branham, the boy’s grandfather, is charged with controlled substance endangerment to a child, complicity to manufacture methamphetamine and engaging in organized crime.

Daniels’ trial has now been moved to Warren County, but no trial date has been set at this time.