Exclusive: Former juror speaks after mistrial declared in David Prevatte murder trial

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A former juror in the David Prevatte murder trial is denying allegations of juror misconduct after a judge declared a mistrial Thursday, saying she was trying to form her own opinion and remain fair throughout the proceedings.

“I just tried to speak my mind and just stand up for what I believe in, and that was not received very well by others,” the former Juror No. 3 told WWAY after a reporter visited her home to ask about the mistrial.

Judge Ricardo Jensen granted the defense’s request for a mistrial following concerns about alleged misconduct among jurors. Jensen said it would be impossible to obtain a fair and impartial verdict.

Juror No. 3 was excused after concerns were raised about comments she allegedly made while serving on the jury.

Juror No. 2 reportedly told the bailiff that Juror No. 3 had said she “knew more about this case than she could say.” Juror No. 2 also raised concerns about comments involving Prevatte’s alleged lack of affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan and claims that he had been pushed out by the Pender County community after being identified as a suspect in 2018.

Juror No. 3 denied making the comments attributed to her and said she worked to remain impartial.

“I tried very hard to be very unbiased,” she told WWAY. “I did not do the things that they said that I did.”

The former juror also described tensions inside the jury room, saying jurors strongly disagreed about the case and that she felt targeted for voicing her opinions.

“I was one of two who felt very strongly in one way. And everybody else was very adamant,” she said. “There were comments made. There were threats made to my, you know, about my children.”

She said she believed other jurors wanted her removed because she was more vocal about her views.

“And because I was just more vocal, I feel like they were all adamant about getting me out of there,” she said. “And I think that that was proven today.”

An administrative hearing for the David Prevatte trial has been scheduled for November 13th.