Jury selection begins in Coonrod trial
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Jury selection began Monday in Highland County Common Pleas Court in the capital murder trial of Wesley Coonrod.
Of the 400 jury notices sent out, just under 320 potential jurors are left after dozens were dismissed in the weeks leading up to the proceedings. Jurors 1-50 met Monday morning in the courtroom, with another 50 scheduled to report after the noon hour. Jurors must each complete a questionnaire that is 18 pages long with an estimated 99 questions.
Judge Rocky Coss opened the day by the explaining the trial process to the potential jurors, who learned officially Monday what trial they would be hearing.
Coonrod, 42, of Greenfield, 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. He was arrested following the March 7 fire on Lafayette Street in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas Coonrod, 4, and Stephen Coonrod, 3. He is being held at the Highland County Justice Center on a $1 million bond.
He is represented by attorneys William Mooney and Jerry McHenry of Columbus. The state is represented by Jim Grandey and the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
Jury selection is scheduled to last until Thursday afternoon, when opening statements are scheduled to begin. The state is scheduled to begin calling witnesses and presenting evidence Oct. 4. If a jury is seated earlier, the attorneys have been instructed to be prepared to immediately proceed.
Jury selection began Monday in Highland County Common Pleas Court in the capital murder trial of Wesley Coonrod.
Of the 400 jury notices sent out, just under 320 potential jurors are left after dozens were dismissed in the weeks leading up to the proceedings. Jurors 1-50 met Monday morning in the courtroom, with another 50 scheduled to report after the noon hour. Jurors must each complete a questionnaire that is 18 pages long with an estimated 99 questions.
Judge Rocky Coss opened the day by the explaining the trial process to the potential jurors, who learned officially Monday what trial they would be hearing.
Coonrod, 42, of Greenfield, 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. He was arrested following the March 7 fire on Lafayette Street in Greenfield that claimed the lives of his two sons, Thomas Coonrod, 4, and Stephen Coonrod, 3. He is being held at the Highland County Justice Center on a $1 million bond.
He is represented by attorneys William Mooney and Jerry McHenry of Columbus. The state is represented by Jim Grandey and the Highland County Prosecutor's Office.
Jury selection is scheduled to last until Thursday afternoon, when opening statements are scheduled to begin. The state is scheduled to begin calling witnesses and presenting evidence Oct. 4. If a jury is seated earlier, the attorneys have been instructed to be prepared to immediately proceed.
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