GIRARD, Ohio - Just one day into the trial of the former Youngstown City School District's (YCSD) Dean of Students, the trial will have to start from scratch after a judge declared a mistrial.

Whipple's attorney Dave Betras tells 21 News the reason for the mistrial was that a motion was filed stating that no witness could give an opinion during testimony.

Betras says during a Liberty Township police officer's testimony, he had accidentally violated this by stating an opinion.

Former YCSD Dean of Students Chivas Whipple was on trial for an alleged domestic violence incident involving his daughter.

Police say Whipple grabbed her by the shirt and slammed her into a car back in February of 2024. However, Whipple argues that he was simply disciplining his daughter for lying to him about where she was.

However, police described Whipple's alleged conduct as "excessive." A police report states that an officer told him there is a difference between discipline and abuse.

Betras told 21 News "sometimes these things happen" and that he does not blame anyone in this incident.

"We are just as disappointed as [the prosecution is.] We put a lot of work into this. We don't fault the judge," Betras said.