Shon P. Byrd, accused in the 2014 shooting death of a World War II veteran, is escorted to the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office after his murder case ended in a mistrial Tuesday afternoon. 

The trial of Shon P. Byrd, accused in the 2014 shooting death of a World War II veteran, ended in a mistrial Tuesday afternoon, the second day of the trial. 

Circuit Court Judge Lester Williamson Jr. declared a mistrial on a technicality involving Byrd’s previous record in youth court. 

World War II veteran H. L. “Billy” Putnam finished shopping for flowers on Mother’s Day at Vowell’s Market Place on North Hills Street around 1 p.m. May 11, 2014, and was fatally shot after getting into his car. Byrd was arrested and charged with capital murder, armed robbery and three counts of credit card fraud. 

Byrd, then 16, wore an ankle monitor at the time of the murder. In 2015, police said Byrd’s ankle monitor’s GPS put him in the exact location as the victim’s vehicle, where the murder took place.

Since the ankle monitor stemmed from a youth court proceeding, however, an order from a youth court judge needed to be submitted in this week’s murder trial. 

Youth Court Judge Frank Coleman entered during the court Tuesday afternoon with paperwork, possibly the paperwork that would allow a witness to testify about the ankle monitor’s movements.

But Byrd’s Defense Attorney John Helmert Jr. asked for the testimony to be excluded or for a mistrial to be declared because of the timing of the order. Since the prosecution argued that the testimony was essential for their case, Williamson declared a mistrial. 

Veronica Ferguson, charged as an accessory after the fact, testified Tuesday that she, Byrd and Decarlos Santez Clark drove to the same plaza to shop. Ferguson said Byrd identified a “lick,” meaning something he wanted and intended to get through illegal means.

Ferguson said Byrd left the car shortly after she heard gunshots. Clark attempted to drive away but Byrd re-entered the car before they left.

Later, the three went to the mall and Byrd bought clothing for everyone, saying he had received money from an uncle, Ferguson testified.

Helmert argued that Clark’s brother committed all of the acts. Ferguson confirmed that she and the brother were dating at the time and have a child. He also wore an ankle monitor but, according to the prosecution, was never considered a suspect in Putnam’s death. The whereabouts of the ankle monitor that day weren’t clear. 

Williamson said the court would start over with the trial at the next available date.