Sexual Criminal Conduct Trial of Man, 37, Who Ran Away with Teen Ends in Mistrial

The criminal sexual conduct trial of a 37-year-old Northville man who authorities said ran away with a 15-year-old Plymouth Township teenager whor reportedly believed she had been in a “relationship” with him since she was a sixth-grader ended Friday with a hung jury.

Prosecutors will try the case against Robert Messer, 37, again, The Observer & Eccentric reports.

The jury of nine women and three men had been deliberating since Wednesday afternoon, but said Friday they couldn’t reach a verdict on the charges, which included:

One count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor under the age of 13, a charge carrying a penalty of up to life in prison;

Four counts of criminal sexual conduct involving someone ages 13-15;

One count of soliciting a minor for immoral purposes.

Lillard declared a mistrial. An April 25 conference will be held in Wayne County Circuit Judge Qiana D. Lillard’s courtroom to set a new trial date.

Authorities say Messer picked up the teen from her home in Playmouth Township and drove her to his home in Northville last Oct. 27. He was reportedly a long-time friend of her family.

Officials say that Messer had sexual contact with the girl at locations in Wayne and Washtenaw County.

Police began searching for Messer and the teen after they both left letters expressing their love for one another. They were found two days later in a farm field in Washtenaw County, and both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of superficial wounds.

The two reportedly had entered into a suicide pact, according to the teen’s testimony in pre-trial proceedings. She also said she believed she was in a relationship with Messer that began when she was in sixth grade. The teen has since given birth to a boy Messer fathered.

“We are disappointed in this result, but we intend to re-try the case,” said Maria MIller, a spokeswoman for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Assistant Prosectuor Aimee Fowler presented the case to the jury.

Defense attorney Jonathan Jones said he’s pleased his client wasn’t convicted, but said he faces “a long road,” the newspaper said.