Trial to take place in GR

Green River Councilman Allan D. Wilson was going to ask the court for a change of venue for his upcoming trial, but when the hearing started he withdrew the motion.

Wilson is charged with one felony count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, which allegedly took place in Lincoln County and one felony count of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, which allegedly took place in Sweetwater County. Both cases will be tried at the same time in Sweetwater County.

Wilson appeared in the Third District Court of Judge Nena James at an change of venue hearing Monday afternoon.

Upon entering the courtroom, Judge James said, “I’ve been advised that you are withdrawing your motion for change of venue at this time.”

Wilson’s attorney Nathan Jeppsen said his client was.

Judge James said she’s willing to do whatever is appropriate to make sure Wilson gets a fair trail in Sweetwater County. She told both Jeppsen and Sweetwater County deputy attorney Lora Cooper that they could submit their jury questionnaires to her.

“I think we can address what we need to address as long as it’s done in a timely manner,” Judge James said.

Jeppsen then asked for the trial date to be changed from October to Jan. 7.

“We were anticipating the change of venue would be changed on this,” Jeppsen said.

Jeppsen said he hadn’t obtained an expert witness yet because he was anticipating the trial’s venue to be changed.

“I was not convinced that a change of venue was necessary,” Judge James said.

Judge James said she was willing to change the venue, but Jeppsen wanted to choose where to have the trial. Judge James was referring to a conversation between her and the two attorney’s in the judge’s chamber prior to the hearing where they discussed where to hold the change of venue.

According to the change of venue motion filed by Wilson, they wanted the trial to take place in Sublette County. Judge James disagreed.

“I think there can be a fair trial here in Sweetwater County. We’ve tried a lot of high profile cases here,” Judge James said.

As for the trial date change, Judge James said she would allow the change. A jury trial is now scheduled to take place Jan. 7, 2018.

However, she told both Cooper and Jeppsen they must meet their deadlines and she will be sending out jury instructions sooner than other cases.

 

Reader Comments(0)