Second mistrial declared for Peoria man accused of drowning his wife in 2019

For the second time in less than a year, a murder trial of a man accused of drowning his wife ended in a mistrial, with the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office saying that a third attempt at a prosecution is likely.

Mike Vorrath was arrested in December 2019 on charges that he drowned his wife, Nancy, in a utility basin at his home in the 3300 block of West Lexington Court on Nov. 23. A grand jury accused him of "intentionally submersing her head under the water until she drowned," with an autopsy from Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood saying that Nancy Vorrath died of multiple blunt force injuries consistent with that of inflicted trauma.

Michael Vorrath is a retired Journal Star advertising representative.

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After four years of continuations, the state's attorney's office first attempted to convict Vorrath last August, but those proceedings also ended in a mistrial. Their second attempt came this week, which ended in the same result.

Anna Perales, a spokesperson for the state's attorney's office, said that a review date has been scheduled for May 16 at 9 a.m., with Circuit Judge John Vespa presiding.

Vorrath faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Second mistrial declared for Peoria man accused of drowning his wife in 2019