An ill juror has prompted an Oktibbeha County judge to declare a mistrial in the murder trial of Leslie Sharp.

Circuit Judge Lee Howard took the action Saturday after a juror fell ill. Officials say when a jury starts deliberations they cannot be separated until a verdict is reached. Howard made the announcement after the juror was taken to the hospital and separated from the others.

Prosecutors say Sharp was standing trial in the shooting death of Christopher Cole in November 2008 on a rural road in northeastern Oktibbeha County. Sharp’s attorneys have argued she acted in self-defense.

Howard says Sharp will be retried at a future date.