Court considers jurors in Coonrod case
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Highland County Common Pleas Court said that 400 notices have gone out to prospective jurors for the capital murder trial for Wesley Coonrod.
Judge Rocky Coss said an in-camera hearing was held last week, during which 50 potential jurors were dismissed.
"There were several people who wanted to be excused, for reasons that are confidential," Coss told The Highland County Press.
Coss said that, generally, some of the reasons for dismissal included illness, and potential jurors who are students.
"The people we drew on the list don't know they're on the list," for the Coonrod trial specifically, Coss said.
The 12 jurors, and alternates, who will be seated for the proceedings will not be selected until the week of the trial, scheduled to begin Oct. 4.
In a previous hearing, Coss said that he has never not been able to seat a jury due to wide publicity, or any other reason.
Coonrod, 42, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, with specifications they are capital cases; one charge of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; two counts of child endangering, felonies of the third degree, stemming from the March 7 fire in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas, 4, and Stephen, 3. If convicted, Coonrod could face the death penalty.
The state is being represented by the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7, with Judge Steven Beathard of Fayette County presiding. The court will hear a motion to suppress from the defense regarding a search warrant. Coss cannot hear that motion because he signed the search warrant, however he will continue to preside over the other hearings and the trial.
Highland County Common Pleas Court said that 400 notices have gone out to prospective jurors for the capital murder trial for Wesley Coonrod.
Judge Rocky Coss said an in-camera hearing was held last week, during which 50 potential jurors were dismissed.
"There were several people who wanted to be excused, for reasons that are confidential," Coss told The Highland County Press.
Coss said that, generally, some of the reasons for dismissal included illness, and potential jurors who are students.
"The people we drew on the list don't know they're on the list," for the Coonrod trial specifically, Coss said.
The 12 jurors, and alternates, who will be seated for the proceedings will not be selected until the week of the trial, scheduled to begin Oct. 4.
In a previous hearing, Coss said that he has never not been able to seat a jury due to wide publicity, or any other reason.
Coonrod, 42, is facing two counts of aggravated murder, with specifications they are capital cases; one charge of aggravated arson, a felony of the second degree; two counts of murder, unclassified felonies; two counts of child endangering, felonies of the third degree, stemming from the March 7 fire in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas, 4, and Stephen, 3. If convicted, Coonrod could face the death penalty.
The state is being represented by the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7, with Judge Steven Beathard of Fayette County presiding. The court will hear a motion to suppress from the defense regarding a search warrant. Coss cannot hear that motion because he signed the search warrant, however he will continue to preside over the other hearings and the trial.