NATCHEZ — After approximately four hours of deliberation, a Natchez jury was torn between a manslaughter and self-defense verdict in the trial of Marvin Anthony Watson.

Ten members of the jury voted for manslaughter while two voted for self-defense.

Watson, 50, claimed self-defense in the shooting of Peter Jones III, 32, at the M&M Spotlight Lounge, formerly known as Chuck’s Corner, on the night of May 18, 2014.

During his testimony, Watson said he went outside to urinate and, while outside, he was struck in the back of the head with an “open fist” by Jones, whom Watson said he did not know.

After Watson turned, Watson said he saw Jones’ pistol. Jones ordered him to the ground and Watson complied, although Watson had a gun near his ankle he couldn’t reach, Watson said.

Watson said he gave Jones his wallet and Jones took all the money Jones could see before returning the wallet.

Jones told him to go back into the bar and not tell anyone what happened or he’d kill him, Watson said.

“I just kept my mouth closed,” Watson said. “I didn’t think he’d follow me back in the bar room.”

When he entered the lounge he took a beer he’d ordered earlier and cigarettes from the bar and sat down at a table, Watson said. Watson said he saw Jones looking at him from the bar.

After a few minutes, Watson said he saw Jones brandish his pistol.

“I took action to protect myself,” Watson said.

Watson said he was shooting for Jones’ arms.

“I wasn’t trying to kill Mr. Jones,” Watson said.

Watson expressed remorse for the killing, saying he had only shot Jones in order to save his own life.

“It bothers me every day,” Watson said.

When Watson was cross-examined by Special Assistant Attorney General Larry Baker, Baker said Watson’s testimony conflicted with some evidence given by witnesses during the first day of the trial. Baker asked why Watson would go back to the club after being robbed.

Watson said he did not want to go down the street alone, which he described as dark, because he was afraid Jones would kill him.

During his closing statement, Baker said Watson had made changes to his story to match the witnesses who had taken the stand the previous day.

“He had the opportunity to sit in here and listen to everybody’s testimony to make sure he can lay his out correctly,” Baker said.

Baker said Watson’s attorney, Timothy Blalock, said in his opening statement there was no bathroom in the lounge, but Watson changed his story when Lorietta Murray, the lounge’s owner, said there were bathrooms Thursday.

He said there was no proof Jones had done anything but “mind his own business” the night of the shooting and, if Watson had acted in self-defense, he wouldn’t have left after the shooting.

“A reasonable man, someone who had not killed and murdered another man, would have stayed on the scene and waited for law enforcement to arrive,” Baker said.

In his closing statement, Blalock said the only motive given during the trial was self-defense.

“Why would a stranger shoot another stranger in the bar?” Blalock said.

Blalock also mentioned Watson had turned himself in.

“When he finally calms down he goes and turns himself in to the police,” Blalock said.

After deliberation, the jury decided they could not reach a verdict. Circuit Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson said the trial would be declared a mistrial.

After the trial, Johnson said a new trial could be set for manslaughter. The next step is up to the state.