Mistrial declared in Hamilton barber shop murder

A judge has declared a mistrial in the murder of Neil Harris at his Hamilton barbershop in 2016.

The 40-year-old husband and father was shot and killed outside the Influence Barbershop on Upper Wellington St. on Feb. 18.

Odain Gardner and Erick Reid are both charged with first-degree murder.

Superior Court Justice Toni Skarica dismissed the jury on Wednesday, just before the trial was set to begin.

Skarica said he was declaring the mistrial because information leaked that a member of the jury may have known the victim.

Selection of a new jury will begin Monday with the new trial expected to begin sometime next week.