Arnold showed little emotion when the judge announced his decision but appeared sad as she walked out of the courtroom and was returned to jail. Family members in the courtroom had no audible reaction but hugged one another in the hall as they were leaving.
Kessler continued a gag order in the case, so neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys would comment.
The judge had also heard testimony from the father of the juvenile who said he was at the complex and was presented with affidavits from an adult witness. Prosecutors asked Kessler to reject the evidence, questioning its truthfulness, the judge said.
But Kessler said that the evidence is new and that the defense hasn't had a chance to investigate it.
Ordering the trial to move forward without considering the evidence would be instant grounds for reversal of any conviction, Kessler said. And allowing the evidence during the final stages of the trial would prevent prosecutors and defense attorneys for a full opportunity to investigate it and affect how Arnold chose to confront other witnesses, he said.
Kessler discharged the jury and ordered the case placed back on the court docket for further scheduling.
Police investigators believe Arnold killed the girl, Paris Talley, by putting her in a microwave at her Dayton home. Coroner's officials said the baby suffered high-heat internal injuries and had no external burns.