OXFORD, Miss. — Just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, a judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial for University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee.

The jury said it could not reach a verdict after more than nine hours. The judge said a new venue may be needed for a new trial.

Defendant Timothy Herrington Jr., currently out on bond, left the courtroom.

The state and defense rested their cases Tuesday afternoon.

The judge instructed the jury to find Herrington guilty of either Capital Murder, First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter by Culpable Negligence, or not guilty.

Herrington could have faced the death penalty if convicted of 20-year-old Lee’s 2022 disappearance and murder.

He’s accused of killing Lee after a sexual encounter. Lee’s body has never been found.

Defense attorney Kevin Horan has from the beginning argued the State has no direct evidence that his client held Lee against his will or murdered him. Herrington maintains his innocence.

The Oxford Police Department released a statement following the trial result.

“The Oxford Police Department’s hearts are heavy for the Lee family as the jury was unable to reach a decision in this case. Our commitment to finding Jay Lee remains steadfast and our department will not waver in the pursuit of justice for him.”

Police Chief Jeff McCutchen stated that the OPD’s job is far from over, and assured the public that they have not stopped looking for Lee’s body since the day he went missing.

“We will not stop until we bring him home to his family,” said McCutchen.

The OPD asks that if you have any information regarding this case or the location of Lee’s body, call 662-232-2400 or Crime Stoppers at 662-234-8799.