Mistrial declared in NYC radio newsman’s death

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has declared a mistrial in the murder trial of a New York City teenager accused of stabbing a radio newsman he met through Craigslist.

Jurors said they were deadlocked before the decision Thursday. It was the third day of deliberations at the trial of John Katehis.

Police discovered George Weber’s body in March 2009. Investigators said he’d been stabbed about 50 times.

Prosecutors said Weber had responded to Katehis’ Craigslist ad offering sex for money.

The defense said Weber preyed on an underage, money-desperate 16 year old. It said Katehis defended himself during a struggle.

Weber had been working as a freelancer for ABC News Radio. He also had worked at WABC in New York, and at stations in California, Colorado and Pennsylvania.