Mistrial Declared In Case Of Anthony Trifiletti, Charged With Murdering Motorist After Fender Bender
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Ramsey County Attorney's Office says a mistrial has been declared following a hung jury in the case of a Watertown man who said he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot a fellow motorist last May on a St. Paul highway.
Anthony James Trifiletti, 25, was charged with second-degree murder. The charge is connected to the homicide on May 2, 2020, which happened on Highway 61 at Burns Avenue on the city's east side.
According to the criminal complaint, Trifiletti shot Douglas Lewis, 39, following a fender bender. Both men pulled over and began to argue, and Trifiletti said he felt threatened when Lewis went to reach under his shirt. Trifiletti then shot him four times.
A spokesperson from the county attorney's office released a statement late Monday afternoon that said Trifiletti is still in the Ramsey County Jail, and his bail conditions remain the same.
"The Ramsey County Attorney's Office will decide in the coming days whether to pursue a new trial in this matter after we have a chance to better understand the jury's decision," the spokesperson said.
Trifiletti was facing up to 40 years behind bars.