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JOHNSTOWN — The jury could not agree on a verdict in the trial of Anthony L. Dotson Jr. in the murder of an Ephratah women last year. However, a date has already been set for a new trial.
Jurors were dismissed from the Fulton County Courthouse last week after they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. A new trial will tentatively begin on July 10, said Fulton County District Attorney Michael J. Poulin.
“It was a hung jury so we have to have another trial,” Poulin said.
Dotson, 25, of Utica, is accused of stabbing 74-year-old Sara Stinnett to death on May 13, 2022, at her home at 517 Route 67 in Ephratah.
Dotson is accused of causing her death by stabbing her in the neck, as well as choking her and setting fire to her home while she was inside, according to the indictment.
Dotson was indicted on five counts last November, felony charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree strangulation and first-degree arson, and a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Poulin said he could not comment on the case itself, as it is still pending.
“I’m not really sure how common a hung jury is, it doesn’t usually happen I don’t think, but it does sometimes,” Poulin said.
The original 12-person jury was selected in one day, earlier this month.
Poulin and First Assistant District Attorney James P. Riley are representing the people in this case, while Dotson is being represented by attorney Devin Guaramo.
It was previously reported that Dotson’s residence at the time of the alleged crimes, which has also been identified as located in the village of Yorkville, just west of Utica, is about 45 miles from the scene of the incident. State police, however, previously indicated Dotson worked as a delivery driver for FedEx and had a route in the Ephratah area at that time.
The investigation began on the afternoon of May 13 last year as troopers and Ephratah Volunteer Fire Department firefighters responded to a fire at Stinnett’s residence.
She was found dead inside the residence, state police said previously. Troopers first arrested Dotson in early August.
The charges resulted from an investigation by state police and its Forensic Investigation and Major Crimes units, along with New York State Fire in conjunction with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.
Contact reporter Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @_natasha_7.
