Mistrial declared on attempted murder charge

Kerry Joseph (Rochester Police photo)

DOVER, N.H. - The Dover man accused of shooting another man on Lafayette Street in Rochester last July saw his attempted murder trial end with the jury deadlocked on Wednesday in Strafford County Superior Court.

Kerry Joseph, 28, of New York Street, had been indicted on attempted murder, assault and criminal threatening charges, but after three days of deliberation the jury foreman declared they were at an impasse.

The victim in the case, Okiemute "Leo" Omatie, of Fifth Street, Dover, faces his own trial stemming from a robbery he allegedly committed in Dover in June 2014.

The Rochester shooting occurred last July between 40 and 42 Lafayette St. when Omatie tried to run away from an armed man said to be Joseph and became trapped between two buildings.

Omatie, who was shot in the chest, is recovering from injuries while awaiting his trial.

Omatie has said he and Joseph did not get along, because Joseph thought he had disrespected him at some point in their past.

Joseph was tracked to Rhode Island and arrested by U.S. Marshals last August.

The attempted murder charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The criminal threatening and assault charge could draw Joseph 10-20 years apiece.

Defense lawyers contended that police arrested the wrong man, that someone else shot Omatie that day on Lafayette Street.

A status conference for the next step in the case is scheduled for October.

Meanwhile, Joseph remains under a no-bail order at Strafford County Jail in Dover.

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