GRIM

Mistrial Declared in Murder Case of Senator John Tester’s Nephew

John Radavich is accused of murdering Robert Tester in 2016.

A mistrial was reportedly declared in the 2016 murder case of Robert Tester, the nephew of Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). According to The Spokesman-Review, Superior Court Judge Maryann Moreno declared a mistrial of John Radavich's first-degree murder trial on the second day of testimony for unknown reasons. Prosecutors had claimed Radavich killed Tester with a “firewood splitting maul” on Sept. 5, 2016. Radavich allegedly told a friend months later that he'd murdered a man who accused him of abusing a 17-year-old—a teen whom he and Tester had both dated. Tester's daughter was reportedly expected to testify after claiming she saw a “man dressed in black plunge a sword into her father in their home.” Radavich was also reportedly expected to testify. Deputy Spokane County Prosecutor Richard Whaley reportedly told the court on Wednesday that authorities had linked Radavich to the murder through DNA found on the maul believed to have killed Tester. Radavich's attorney claimed that his client was armed with a “sword and a dagger” when he knocked on Tester's door, but Tester was the “aggressor” in the fatal fight.