Murder Trial

It is time for the trial of Todd Schumacher in Leoti. Some of you have asked me for details of the trial, itself. Here is all that I know right now.

1. The trial is slated to run from Monday through Friday on January 10th through the 14th at the Wichita County Courthouse in Leoti.

2. Jury selection will take place on Monday. It is unknown how long that will take but I believe that it is quite possible that it could take all day. In 1997, I served as a juror in a civil case. It took us all morning just to get us chosen. There are always potential jurors who cannot serve for one reason or another. In that case, I tried to be excluded because I was 8 months pregnant. I explained to the judge that I needed to go to the bathroom more often than most people. I explained to him that I needed to be able to rest. I thought that there was NO way that I would be selected. Instead, the judge asked me if I would serve if the court allowed me to take those breaks whenever necessary. I just had to hold up my hand. I told him yes but I would hate to stretch out the hearing anymore than necessary. Well, guess what! I was the 2nd juror chosen. LOL!!! And I ended up not having to have any extra breaks! LOL!!! I am actually glad that I was selected as I really enjoyed getting to see the court in action and I felt like I made at least a little bit of a difference. Given the fact of the severity of this issue, I think that it will be even more difficult to find an impartial jury. Ya' know when people are asked to be on a jury, they need to be able to be grey. In other words, no one should be on a jury if they can only see black and white before the hearing begins. I think that most of us would agree that there is always more to an issue than simply right and wrong.

3. The trial is open to the public. Only the people who can sit in the regular seats will be allowed in. No folding chairs or standing will be allowed.

4. Each day will run from 9-5:00 CST.

VLE-B