Juror problems led to a mistrial having to be declared on Wednesday morning in a Circuit Court case that had been expected to last up to six weeks.
Judge Neal Thomas said one juror had a panic attack just prior to the case starting and another advised that she had a hardship and could no longer serve.
He said that left the court with only 12 jurors. He said he was unwilling to start without alternates available.
The case involves a dispute about the Canyon Ridge Resort on Lookout Mountain, which underwent financial woes and had some ownership changes.
Canyon Ridge Resort LLC, Singing Sisters Falls LLC and Scenic Land Company LLC (developer Duane Horton) is suing Sterne, Agee & Leach and Edmund J. Wall.
Grove Street Partners LLC was also a defendant, but it reached a settlement on Tuesday.
Attorney Bill Colvin asked that a new jury be empaneled next week, saying there had been significant expense in getting the case ready for trial and getting witnesses lined up.
Judge Thomas said selection of a new jury will start next Tuesday.
Attorney Colvin said he now projects the case may take 3-4 weeks.
Judge Thomas noted that of the initial 96 jurors summoned that only 26 had said they could serve for the duration of the trial.