Mistrial for Joe Hunt Associate

A judge today declared a mistrial in the case of James Pittman, the reputed Billionaire Boys Club enforcer charged with murdering a Beverly Hills con man who had allegedly defrauded the club out of $4 million. Pittman’s first trial on charges that he murdered Ron Levin also ended in a mistrial in 1985.

Superior Court Judge James Albracht declared a mistrial today in Santa Monica when jurors who had deliberated for nine days told him they were hopelessly deadlocked 8-4 for acquittal. Pittman allegedly killed Levin at the order of Joe Hunt, 27, founder of the now-defunct investment and social fraternity dubbed the Billionaire Boys Club. Hunt was convicted in April of Levin’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Levin’s body never has been found.