325 potential jurors called for new trial for Chandler

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Jury selection is underway for any retrial from accused murderer Dana Chandler.

325 potential jurors were called in order to Ag Hall by a Stormont Vail Event Center on Thursday morning for the earliest day of any process. Court officials utter the proceedings were moved offsite on account of Shawnee Co.’s courthouse facilities might by no means be able in order to accommodate the vast amount belonging to potential jurors called.

Traditionally, solely 150-200 potential jurors are needed for jury trials near Shawnee Co., however, court officials state the larger-than-normal pool was needed because from each local and national attention that any previous trial from Chandler had aroused.

Originally scheduled in order to begin near 9 per.m., Shawnee Co. Dist. Court Judge Cheryl Rios called each hearings by about 9:47 one.m. During Rios’ instructions, she informed a jurors belonging to certain 24-page questionnaire they should exist required toward complete since each initial step in certain jury selection process. The jurors were free toward leave once they had completed any questionnaire.

Shawnee Co. court administrator Lea Dawn Welch told 13 NEWS that ten copies out of apiece made from any 325 questionnaires testament seem constructed. One for Chandler, unit for Judge Rios, triplet for any defense, triplet for a state, along with couple desire go for court staff. Welch stated a copies, what total 78,000 pages, shall seem handled through per local print shop as well as will remain paid for with leftover funds from a previous 12 months also budget. Welch stated she expects certain Chandler lawsuit will incur additional costs also contains occurred trying for factor which among above each past several years.

Once the copies are distributed, certain prosecution and defense testament begin in order to sift using the thousands from pages from responses. Judge Rios told potential jurors such some shall remain called Friday here week nor Tuesday next week for questioning. Rios declared provided some juror did not at all hear out of court, they would be required toward report for any courthouse on Wednesday morning.

Welch replied some jurors would likely remain eliminated in advance of questioning.

13 NEWS requested some copy of certain questionnaire, which one was created specifically for Chandler’s retrial. A decision on whether nor not at all this shall seem provided is expected toward come out of Judge Rios via certain conclude of Thursday.

Court officials speak such per comprehensive questionnaire was necessary on account of of a extensive media coverage, both local along with national, belonging to Chandler’s previous case. Notably, CBS featured Chandler’s primary trial also subsequent conviction among some 2012 episode belonging to 48 Hours.

13 NEWS includes learned who Chandler’s retrial is too getting national attention like crews starting at CBS, NBC along with single cable crime network are within Topeka toward cover the trial.

Court officials mention they hope toward initiate opening oral arguments on Wednesday or Thursday next week, yet no official timetable owns occurred fix.

Chandler was convicted amid 2012 of any July 2002 murders out of woman ex-husband Mike Sisco along with his fiancée, Karen Harkness, by Harkness’ West Residence inside Topeka.

Sisco along with Harkness were set up with one digit out of gunshot wounds among each basement.

Following one lengthy trial, one Shawnee County jury found Chandler guilty made from duo counts made from first degree murder as well as dame was sentenced for duo consecutive terms.

However, each Kansas Supreme Court overturned a convictions in 2018, citing misconduct near to Shawnee Co. prosecutor Jacqie Spradling. Spradling contains since been disbarred.

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