MARSHALL COUNTY, Ky. (WPSD) — Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the Marshall County High School shooting case have agreed on a joint motion to continue the case. This after a verbal agreement via a Skype hearing.
Gabe Parker's trial was set to begin June 1, 2020 in Christian County. Both prosecutors and defense cited reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic as to why they wanted to postpone the trial. Judge Jamie Jameson was on the Skype call as well, and defendent, Parker was in the courtroom with the judge.
According to the Commonwealth Attorney (Dennis Foust), they are unable to prepare witnesses, because some of the witnesses in the case are Vanderbilt doctors. Foust says those doctors say it would be a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks before they would be free. Meanwhile, Defense attorney Tom Griffiths says they are having issued getting some out-of-state witnesses to the trial.
Another issue discussed Monday was the current moratorium on juries. Judge Jameson says he has sent in a request for an exception in this case to the Kentucky Supreme Court, and is expecting an answer later this week.
Due to the vast coverage of this case, officials say this trial is expected to draw a crowd. The judge brought up the issue of social distancing.
Judge Jameson set a review date for April 28th at 10 am.
Parker, now 18 years old, will go back to Christian County Jail.
