MERRITT ISLAND — Brevard Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Speicher declared a mistrial in the trial of Chase Harrison, Cory Cabaniss, and Anthony Davila on August 17, 2026. The ruling followed a jury deadlock after two days of deliberations.

Chase Harrison, Cory Cabaniss, and Anthony Davila were tried together for first-degree murder and animal cruelty. The charges are connected to the March 3, 2021, shooting death of 25-year-old Matthew Nicol and his dog.

Jurors sent handwritten questions to the judge asking how many times the dog was shot and how many times Nicol was struck. These inquiries occurred during the deliberation period that preceded the deadlock declaration.

A status hearing for a new trial is scheduled for late September. Chase Harrison, Cory Cabaniss, and Anthony Davila remain held at the Brevard County Jail Complex pending further proceedings.

Jury selection for the trial began in July. The proceedings addressed allegations stemming from an incident at a residence in Merritt Island.

Prosecutors stated the defendants rented a U-Haul truck and drove to the Hall Road residence in Merritt Island. Five masked men, including the three defendants, wore black tactical-style uniforms with replica DEA and sheriff patches.

The men were armed with AR-15 rifles and a hammer. Security camera footage captured the men entering the residence on the day of the incident.

Matthew Nicol was a swimming pool cleaner who was at home due to rainy weather. A roommate of Matthew Nicol called 911 to report gunfire after the incident began.

Cory Cabaniss zip-tied Matthew Nicol before accidentally shooting him. Brian Vogel shot and killed Nicol's German shepherd during the confrontation.

A witness told investigators that one of the masked men shouted, "Let's go, let's go, let's go," following the shooting. This statement was recorded during police interviews conducted after the event.

Investigators found bullet casings on leaves and a broken sliding door with a bullet hole in the glass. Deputies found Matthew Nicol's body inside the home on the tiled floor.

Court records state the home reeked of marijuana. This detail was noted in the investigation reports filed by law enforcement agencies.

In 2021, a Brevard grand jury indicted five men in the case: Chase Harrison, Cory Cabaniss, Anthony Davila, David Foreman-Taylor, and Vogel. The indictment formalized the charges against all individuals involved in the incident.

David Foreman-Taylor pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His resolution of the case occurred prior to the trial of the remaining three defendants.

Vogel pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in state prison with probation for life. Vogel's sentencing took place in May 2025, separate from the current proceedings.

Investigators tracked down U-Haul rental information and a suspect's cellphone, which led to several arrests. These investigative steps provided the basis for identifying and charging the participants.

The investigation linked the suspects to another investigation involving a dog-fighting ring. This connection emerged during the broader inquiry into the activities of the individuals involved.

Why It Matters

The mistrial declaration resets the legal process for three defendants facing serious violent crime charges. The deadlock indicates the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on the counts of first-degree murder and animal cruelty after considering evidence regarding the shooting and the death of the animal.

The case involves multiple defendants with different legal outcomes, as two co-indictees have already been sentenced following guilty pleas. The remaining defendants await a new trial date, with a status hearing set for late September to determine next steps in the litigation.