State sports briefs

Former Hog’s case declared mistrial

The murder case of former Arkansas Razorback football player Josh Melton ended in mistrial Wednesday after two jurors were dismissed.

Melton, 33, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Michael Gover, 30, in August 2013.

Circuit Judge William Storey declared a mistrial just before the afternoon session was to begin, and the case was tentatively set for retrial Oct. 20.

One juror was dismissed Wednesday morning, after a defense challenge, because he nodded off Tuesday afternoon while a video of Melton's interview with police was being shown. The alternate juror was placed on the panel.

A second juror was dismissed during the lunch break Wednesday after she told the judge during the break she could no longer reach a decision in the case.

Storey was forced to declare a mistrial with only 11 jurors remaining.

"This is something that is so unfathomable," said Matt Durrett, chief deputy prosecuting attorney. "It's not unusual to lose one juror, that happens, but to have this happen is unheard of."

Melton told Fayetteville police he and Gover went to a couple of bars after a softball game and drank heavily. They ended up at Melton's home at 6316 W. Copper Ridge Lane, just south of Wedington Avenue.

Melton passed out and woke up to find Gover had thrown up on the living room floor, according to court documents. Melton told police in a taped interview that Gover made lewd comments about having sex with Melton's girlfriend, Melton or both before grabbing Melton's privates.

Melton said he punched Gover several times in the face, causing him to collapse on the floor. Melton went to bed, and when he woke up the following morning, Gover was dead on the living room floor, according to court documents.

Melton, a Batesville native, played for the Razorbacks from 1999 to 2002. If convicted, he faces six to 30 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction and fines of up to $15,000.

-- NWA Media

BASKETBALL

Lyon College names men's assistant

Brandon Cowart, who ranks sixth all-time at Lyon College with 251 career assists, was named an assistant for the men's team Wednesday.

Cowart, 24, has spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant at Northwestern (La.) State, helping to lead the Demons to a Southland Conference Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament berth in the 2012-2013 season. Cowart also has had the opportunity to review game film, compile scouting reports, assist in planning practices and has worked several camps.

Lyon, which returns eight lettermen, posted a 16-15 record last season, including a 15-5 mark to finish third in the American Midwest Conference.

SOFTBALL

SAU tabs Sheridan native as coach

Jason Anderson, a Sheridan native who spent last season as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State, was named to the same post at Southern Arkansas on Wednesday.

Anderson, who has coached at North Alabama and Central Baptist College in Conway, has a 307-73 career record as a coach. A five-time National Christian College Athletic Association Regional Coach of the Year, Anderson's 2010 team at Central Baptist had a 52-1 record en route to an NCCAA national championship. He was also named the NCCAA's national Coach of the Year.

-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services

Sports on 07/03/2014

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