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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... Standing guard ... City gears up for hearings on future growth ... Medford School District on the hunt for teachers ... CRIME AND JUSTICE Medford murder trial headed for third try Stabbing suspect's first two trials end in mistrials Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 3, 2015 at 5:01 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 3, 2015 at 5:01 PM » Social News Following two mistrials, a Medford man accused of murder will be back in court Monday to receive a third trial date. Jose Valencia-Gaona is accused of fatally stabbing 38-year-old Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez outside her Medford apartment on Sept. 1, 2013 — and of threatening a witness. His second murder trial was declared a mistrial last week after a witness in the case offered testimony in court that had earlier been deemed not admissible. The witness was the alleged victim of attempted second-degree assault, Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert said. "He was told not to say it, but he was nervous and said it," Heckert said Tuesday. Heckert declined to specify what the witness was asked not to say. Court records show that in a June ruling, the witness was banned from identifying Valencia-Gaona in the presence of a jury. After the witness offered the inadmissible evidence, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Tim Barnack agreed with a request by defense attorneys and declared a mistrial. Valencia-Gaona, 46, was returned to the Jackson County Jail, where he has remained without bail between court dates. The second trial was in its third day when the mistrial was ordered. That was a day longer than Valencia-Gaona's first trial, a case before former Jackson County Circuit Judge Adam Peterson, whose handling of the case became a campaign issue in former prosecutor David Hoppe's successful race against Peterson. Rodriguez was stabbed outside of her apartment in the 1900 block of Table Rock Road after a struggle with a man who tossed the knife away as he fled the scene. Rodriguez stumbled into the apartment of a neighbor, who witnessed part of the attack. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, according to earlier testimony. The knife had DNA on the blade that matched Rodriguez's blood and DNA on the handle that matched Valencia-Gaona's, according to earlier testimony. Valencia-Gaona was arrested three days after the slaying. He faces the charge of attempted second-degree assault for waving the knife at the second victim. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 3, 2015 at 5:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501