Judge declares mistrial in Sumter County murder case

AMERICUS - A judge has declared a mistrial after Sumter County jurors were unable to decide the case of a man charged with killing an Americus restaurant manager by setting him ablaze. <br> <br> Superior Court Judge R. Rucker Smith ended the trial Saturday after jurors had deliberated for more than six hours over two days without making progress. <br> <br> Antwan Bridges, 25, is charged with felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and arson in the Nov. 24, 1996, fire at Shoney&#39;s Restaurant. Bridges is accused of attempting to rob manager David Warren, 30, and of throwing a flammable liquid on him and setting him on fire. <br> <br> ``If you&#39;re holding an honest conviction, I don&#39;t want you to change an honest conviction,&#39;&#39; Smith told the jury. <br> <br> Smith said he would schedule a new trial date in April or May. <br> <br>