ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A blown kiss from a juror to the family of a homicide victim, along with suspected interactions between two other jurors and the victim's family, prompted a judge to order a mistrial in a murder case Friday.

Monroe County Court Judge John DeMarco ordered the mistrial after three jurors were removed because they were suspected of interactions with the family of a murder victim. On trial was Joseph Boykins Jr., accused of fatally shooting Michael Earlsey, 42, on July 4.

Boykins, 50, is also accused of shooting his former girlfriend, who survived.

The District Attorney's Office declined to comment on the incidents that prompted the mistrial but said prosecutors will be ready for the next trial, now scheduled for July.

Opening statements and testimony started Thursday, and later that day two members of Earlsey's family were spotted in the Hall of Justice foyer approaching two jurors.

Attorneys and DeMarco also learned that on Friday one juror was observed blowing a kiss to the victim's family outside the courtroom during a break in proceedings.

Using Hall of Justice video, DeMarco confirmed the blown kiss, and also saw that the interaction between the jurors and Earlsey's relatives on Thursday appeared longer than the jurors claimed, defense lawyer Michael Schiano said.

"The one juror had said there was really no conversation whatsoever," Schiano said.

The other juror acknowledged that a member of the victim's family said something like, "You have nice red hair, and I hope you find him guilty."

DeMarco released the three jurors, necessitating the mistrial.

The jury had consisted of 12 jurors and two alternates. Twelve jurors are required, so the loss of three made it impossible to go forward.