By Jim Hannah
Enquirer staff writer

COVINGTON - After two days of deliberations, a mistrial was declared late Thursday in the murder case against Rafi Ali.

Ali, also known as Rafi Rice, is charged with fatally shooting LaShawn Hughes several times on July 19, 2003, at Robbins and Greenup streets. Hughes died a week later at University Hospital of gunshot wounds to the abdomen and leg.

Defense attorney Tasha Scott said Ali, 31, was not the shooter. She told jurors he was 30 miles away at his mother's house in Hamilton, Ohio, during the shootout.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney James Redwine told jurors Ali fired the fatal shots after Hughes beat up Ali's cousin.

Redwine said he would retry the case. His boss, Prosecutor Bill Crockett, couldn't be reached Friday for comment.

Kenton Circuit Judge Patricia Summe had not set a new trial date as of Friday.

Ali remained in the Kenton County jail Friday in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

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E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com