AUBURN — The trial of a Lewiston man charged with stabbing another man during a fight at a party has ended with a deadlocked jury.

A judge in Androscoggin County Superior Court on Monday declared a mistrial in the trial of Raikuez Melchoirre after jurors informed him they could not reach a verdict.

The 35-year-old Melchoirre was charged with elevated aggravated assault in connection with the June 2011 stabbing that left Richard “Buddy” Edwards Jr. with wounds to his face, shoulders, knee, chest and abdomen.

Prosecutors said Melchoirre was the aggressor.

The Sun Journal reports that defense attorney Maurice Porter described Edwards as a drunken thug, and said Melchoirre acted in self-defense.

The sides are working on a plea deal. If a deal can’t be reached, Melchoirre will be retried.


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