Prosecutors will seek to have Edward Bullock's case returned to Warren County.
A former Warren County sheriff accused of sexually assaulting a child nearly 30 years ago is to stand trial again, possibly in the county where he served.
A mistrial was declared in July when a jury deadlocked on the charges against Edward Bullock, now 86.
A new trial has been tentatively scheduled for February, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said Thursday following a status conference in state Superior Court in Flemington.
The former sheriff, now living in Ocean County, is charged with three counts each of aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault.
MORE: Accuser's fight not over after mistrial
Bullock is accused of sexually assaulting a boy between 1986 and 1988, when Bullock was Warren County's elected sheriff and the boy was about 10 years old. At least two of the assaults are alleged to have occurred in Bullock's courthouse office, and one while the sheriff transported the boy, alone, from Hackettstown police headquarters to the county youth shelter.
Following the trial, a juror said the panel was split 6-6 on a verdict. The evidence presented, including emotional testimony from the accuser, made them believe something happened but it was not strong enough for a conviction, the juror said.
MORE: 'We all believe something happened,' juror says
Bullock's trial was held over the summer in Hunterdon County due to an undisclosed conflict with Judge Robert Reed, who for the last year has presided over criminal matters in Warren County.
A routine reassignment will send Reed to Somerset County in the next month or so. With the conflict no longer a factor, Burke said his office will make an application within 30 days to have Bullock's case returned to Warren County.
Bullock's attorney, Brian Corley White, could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
