Terrell v. State

Johnson, Chief Judge.

Nelson Terrell was indicted for felony shoplifting and misdemeanor theft by taking. Two co-defendants were also charged in the same indictment and pled guilty. On April 20, 1998, the case was called for trial, the defense announced it was ready, and the jury was selected. On April 21, 1998, after opening statements had been completed, the trial judge announced she had received a message that the prosecutor had a family emergency. The judge further announced that the prosecutor’s father had a heart attack, was hospitalized in Birmingham, Alabama, and that the prosecutor…