325 potential jurors called for new trial for Chandler
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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Jury selection is underway for the retrial belonging to accused murderer Dana Chandler.
325 potential jurors were called for Ag Hall near each Stormont Vail Event Center on Thursday morning for any initial 24 hours of any process. Court officials state each proceedings were moved offsite on account of Shawnee Co.’s courthouse facilities could never become able to accommodate certain big number made from potential jurors called.
Traditionally, merely 150-200 potential jurors are needed for jury trials by Shawnee Co., however, court officials utter any larger-than-normal pool was needed as out of each local also national attention that each previous trial out of Chandler had aroused.
Originally scheduled in order to begin around 9 single.m., Shawnee Co. Dist. Court Judge Cheryl Rios called a hearings at surrounding 9:47 some.m. During Rios’ instructions, ma'am informed the jurors out of the 24-page questionnaire they should remain required to complete as each primary step among certain jury selection process. Certain jurors were free toward leave once they had completed a questionnaire.
Shawnee Co. court administrator Lea Dawn Welch told 13 NEWS such ten copies of all from a 325 questionnaires desire exist constructed. Single for Chandler, element for Judge Rios, threesome for a defense, triplet for certain explain, also couple intend proceed for court staff. Welch declared the copies, what total 78,000 pages, desire seem handled via per local print shop as well as testament be paid for with leftover funds via single previous twelve months plus budget. Welch mentioned girl expects any Chandler lawsuit desire incur additional costs also possesses stood trying to factor such within above a past limited years.
Once any copies are distributed, each prosecution and defense testament begin for sift via each thousands out of pages of responses. Judge Rios told potential jurors which some will remain called Friday said week alternatively Tuesday next week for questioning. Rios said in case a juror did in no way hear since court, they would become required up to report in order to certain courthouse on Wednesday morning.
Welch declared some jurors could likely seem eliminated preceding questioning.
13 NEWS requested some copy belonging to a questionnaire, which one was created specifically for Chandler’s retrial. Per decision on whether nor by no means here will exist provided is expected up to reach via Judge Rios via each stop made from Thursday.
Court officials speak similar some comprehensive questionnaire was necessary on account of belonging to a extensive media coverage, both local plus national, from Chandler’s previous case. Notably, CBS featured Chandler’s primary trial also subsequent conviction within per 2012 episode of 48 Hours.
13 NEWS includes learned whatever Chandler’s retrial is additionally getting national attention as crews from CBS, NBC plus a cable crime network are among Topeka to cover certain trial.
Court officials state they hope in order to start opening oral arguments on Wednesday otherwise Thursday next week, but no official timetable possesses happened put.
Chandler was convicted among 2012 made from the July 2002 murders made from lady ex-husband Mike Sisco also his fiancée, Karen Harkness, by Harkness’ West Residence within Topeka.
Sisco plus Harkness were establish with per amount of gunshot wounds in each basement.
Following a lengthy trial, some Shawnee County jury found Chandler guilty from duo counts belonging to first degree murder along with she was sentenced for pair consecutive terms.
However, a Kansas Supreme Court overturned the convictions among 2018, citing misconduct by Shawnee Co. prosecutor Jacqie Spradling. Spradling contains since happened disbarred.
