Mistrial declared in Elgin murder case

A Kane County judge declared a mistrial Saturday in the case of Darren Denson, a 39-year-old former Chicago resident accused of killing an Elgin man in 2003.

After more than 12 hours of deliberations spread across Friday and Saturday, the jury could not agree on a verdict, Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sams said. A new trial will be held, but no dates were set.

Sams declined to comment on the mistrial.

Prosecutors had argued Denson and two accomplices entered the apartment of Kyle Juggins on Feb. 11, 2003 in search of a drug dealer they planned to rob of $30,000.

Denson was accused of wielding a knife during the attack, in which Juggins was shot in the back of the head and killed on a mattress in front of his 15-month-old son and girlfriend.

Denson was charged in 2005 with murder, home invasion and armed robbery in connection with Juggins' death. He was the fourth and final person to face charges resulting from the attack.

Denson is serving a 50-year sentence after a murder and robbery conviction in Wisconsin.