Man to face second trial in Mississippi for 2019 New Albany stabbing

A north Mississippi man will face a second trial in connection with a 2019 stabbing at a restaurant in New Albany. Lane Mitchell is scheduled for trial March 22 in Union County on charges of attempted murder, according to court records.

Mitchell was acquitted in 2023 after Circuit Court Judge Kent Smith dismissed the case. The judge found that the victim, Russell Rogers of Tennessee, did not appear in court to testify, violating Mitchell’s right to confront witnesses. Prosecutors from the attorney general’s office, appointed after the district attorney recused himself, appealed the ruling.

The Mississippi Court of Appeals reversed the acquittal in July 2025, ruling that the state had the right to appeal and that the trial court erred in dismissing the case. The case was sent back to Union County for a new trial. Mitchell appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court, arguing that double jeopardy protections prevented a retrial. The high court initially agreed to review the case but later dismissed the petition this year.

The incident occurred Feb. 9, 2019, at the Tallahatchie Gourmet restaurant in New Albany. Court records state Mitchell arrived with his parents and their friends. Surveillance footage shows Mitchell taking a knife from the bar and holding it behind his back while Rogers interacted with a waitress. Mitchell then approached Rogers from behind and stabbed him in the neck three times, according to court records. Mitchell testified he was defending his father and the waitress and believed Rogers had a weapon, though none was found.

Rogers was hospitalized with severe injuries, nearly bleeding out and suffering a stroke. He was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health issues, leading to a conservatorship. Civil litigation related to access to Rogers’ medical records has also been ongoing. Authorities attempted to subpoena Rogers to testify, but a Tennessee court ruled he was incapable due to his mental health issues. Prosecutors and defense attorneys accused Rogers and his conservator of being uncooperative, claims the state denied.

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