A mistrial was declared this week for the case against a Pontiac man accused of fatally shooting a Waterford Township man last year.

After deliberating for approximately three days, an Oakland County jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of Christian Harris, 18, charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and felony firearm in connection with the slaying of Armani Terrell Baker, 22. Trial got underway last week in Oakland County Circuit Court, and on Sept. 23 Judge Daniel O’Brien deemed it a mistrial.

The shooting was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. on April 29, 2023, and Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reportedly find Baker’s body in the front seat of a car with the doors open, on Hammond Street near Nelson Street in Pontiac. He’d been hit multiple times by gunfire.

Harris was 17 years old at the time of the slaying and charged as an adult. He’s been out of custody since July 2023 when a $50,000 bond was posted.

Mistrials typically result in the case being retried — but not always. It’s up to the prosecution to refile the case and the judge to allow another trial to occur. Harris is scheduled to return to O’Brien’s court for a hearing on Oct. 23.

Two other teens were charged for related offenses in connection with the homicide. Jeremiah Rodriguez recently made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to an added count of accessory after the fact. Charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony were dismissed. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 13. The other defendant, Sander Hawkins, was charged as a juvenile with accessory after the fact to murder.