MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — The murder trial against an Elmore County man accused of stabbing his landlady to death will start over from scratch after the judge declared a mistrial in the case.
Scott Riggs faces up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 71-year-old Paula Ferbrache. According to testimony, Ferbrache was displeased with the way Riggs was taking care of the house he rented from her, and had decided not to renew his lease once it ran out.
Prosecutors say Riggs asked Ferbrache for a ride Aug. 25, 2017, then stabbed her eight times with a knife he had purchased from a pawn shop. Ferbrache's body was found the next day in the trunk of her Buick, which had been driven out to a pasture and abandoned.
According to investigators, a spot of the victim's blood was found in Riggs' truck after the murder, and his finger and palm print was on her Buick. In addition, a gag, blindfold and other items dumped in the desert along with the murder weapon and Ferbrache's cell phone appeared to be made with items found in Riggs' house, investigators say.
Riggs has pleaded not guilty to murder, telling the sheriff's office and police that he accepted a ride from his landlady the day she disappeared, but did not hurt her.
The murder trial began earlier this month, almost 18 months after Ferbrache was killed. The trial was in its third day when Judge Nancy Baskin called for the mistrial Thursday.
A mistrial can occur either when a jury is unable to decide whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty, or when someone involved in the trial commits misconduct or an error so severe that it results in the defendant being unable to get a fair trial.
It's unclear what issue caused Thursday's mistrial. Both Prosecutor Daniel Page and defense attorney Terry Ratliff did not immediately respond to a request for more information by KTVB, and Judge Baskin's court clerk said she was not authorized to provide any information about why the mistrial was declared.
The mistrial means a new jury will have to be selected, and the case will move forward to a new trial, starting over from the beginning. A hearing to set the new trial date is scheduled for March 4.
Riggs remains held in the Elmore County Jail.
