In a stunning turn of events, a Los Angeles judge on Tuesday declared a mistrial and dismissed theft charges against the former manager to the late Marvel Comics pioneer Stan Lee.

Keya Morgan had plead not guilty to three counts of grand theft from an elder after prosecutors alleged he stole more than $200,000 in proceeds of memorabilia sales from Lee before his 2018 death.At trial, a 12-person jury deadlocked 11-1 in favor of acquittal, and Superior Court Judge George Lomeli subsequently dismissed the charges

CNN reported

“We are disappointed in the outcome of the case but appreciate that the jurors carefully reviewed the evidence and testimony…”“I thank the trial team for their hard work and dedication on this challenging case.”Morgan’s attorney, Alex Kessel, called the case “baseless” in a statement to CNN. “Mr Lee, if alive would never tolerate or agree his trusted business partner Keya Morgan should have been prosecuted,” Kessel said. Stan Lee’s former manager accused of false imprisonment, grand theft and elder abuse.” Morgan elaborated “I loved Stan Lee like a father,” Morgan said in a statement after the charges were dismissed. “It was one of the greatest honors of my life to serve him for almost 10 years.” Stan repeatedly told the Los Angeles Police Department, adult protective services, and his lawyer Robrt Reynolds on camera that “he never had a problem with me. … I hope the true story comes out soon.”

Morgan was arrested in 2019 and accused of collecting money from unlicensed memorabilia sales, such as autograph signings, and not transferring the money to Lee. according to variety, Morgan was accused of  stealing $222,480 from Lee. Stan Lee the founder and figurehead of Marvel Comics and its superheroes including Captain America, Spider-Man, The X Men, and The Hulk, who have become staples of both the comic industry, and the film industry, died in 2018 at the age of 95. Before his death, Lee was granted a temporary restraining order against Morgan that banned him from abusing, harassing or contacting Lee and required him to stay at least 100 yards away.