Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 17, 2006 23:40:45 GMT -5
Jury selection delays police shooting trial
The trial of an Abbeville man charged in the shooting deaths of two law
enforcement officers will not begin next month as originally planned
because of a scheduling conflict in a county 150 miles away.
In August, Judge Alexander Macaulay ruled that the jury for Steve Bixby's
trial be picked from Chesterfield County, on the opposite end of the state
from Abbeville. Another trial had already been scheduled to begin in that
county's only courtroom, which would also be needed for jury selection,
said Bill Nettles, Bixby's attorney.
The delay means the trial likely will not begin until next year, Nettles
said.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bixby, 39, who has been
charged with murder in the shooting deaths of Abbeville County sheriff's
Sgt. Danny Wilson, and state constable Donnie Ouzts on Dec. 8, 2003. The
shootings marked the beginning of a 14-hour standoff and shootout between
the family and law enforcement officers.
Authorities say the family was angry over plans to widen state Highway 72
in front of their Abbeville home.
Bixby's 77-year-old father, Arthur, has also been charged with murder.
Delays like this, while somewhat frustrating, are not unusual, Nettles
said. "It's all part of the game," he said. "We'll be ready one way or the
other."
At last month's hearing, Macaulay also ruled that prosecutors can't seek
the death penalty against Bixby's 74-year-old mother Rita, who has been
charged with accessory before the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit
murder and lying to police.
(source: Associated Press)
The trial of an Abbeville man charged in the shooting deaths of two law
enforcement officers will not begin next month as originally planned
because of a scheduling conflict in a county 150 miles away.
In August, Judge Alexander Macaulay ruled that the jury for Steve Bixby's
trial be picked from Chesterfield County, on the opposite end of the state
from Abbeville. Another trial had already been scheduled to begin in that
county's only courtroom, which would also be needed for jury selection,
said Bill Nettles, Bixby's attorney.
The delay means the trial likely will not begin until next year, Nettles
said.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Bixby, 39, who has been
charged with murder in the shooting deaths of Abbeville County sheriff's
Sgt. Danny Wilson, and state constable Donnie Ouzts on Dec. 8, 2003. The
shootings marked the beginning of a 14-hour standoff and shootout between
the family and law enforcement officers.
Authorities say the family was angry over plans to widen state Highway 72
in front of their Abbeville home.
Bixby's 77-year-old father, Arthur, has also been charged with murder.
Delays like this, while somewhat frustrating, are not unusual, Nettles
said. "It's all part of the game," he said. "We'll be ready one way or the
other."
At last month's hearing, Macaulay also ruled that prosecutors can't seek
the death penalty against Bixby's 74-year-old mother Rita, who has been
charged with accessory before the fact of murder, conspiracy to commit
murder and lying to police.
(source: Associated Press)