Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins and her office are trying to make preparations for the late September trial of Landon Stinson — a Trigg County man charged with the 2021 Cerulean Road double murder of Sue Faris and Matthew Blakeley.
In doing so, she, defense attorney Bill Deatherage and Circuit Judge Natalie White spent Wednesday afternoon unfolding two motions from Ovey-Wiggins, regarding the need for an out-of-state witness coming from California for the trial.
Since Deatherage’s office wasn’t in agreement for the unnamed witness to answer questions via telecommunications or video conference, Ovey-Wiggins said understood the need to fly this person in for face-to-face cross examination.
However, there is considerable concern that the selection of Stinson’s jury could take the first of two weeks set aside to reach a verdict, and Ovey-Wiggins said her witness only has one week available.
As such, she asked the court if an in-person deposition would suffice.
Deatherage asked for White to “play that by ear” to see how the trial progresses, but he added it was a “much better” than a Zoom call.
She said the most difficult part of it is organizing the timeline and the travel.
The court, theoretically, could order the witness to stay through the entirety of the trial subject to recall, but Deatherage noted the reason this person is only available at a certain time is because of a planned vacation.
Deatherage also said, “no offense, but the Commonwealth is trying to kill my client,” and that “the testimony might prevail over a vacation.”
He also said the timeline “might work out fine,” and White agreed — moving this motion into abeyance until further notice.
Deatherage also affirmed to White that he has “full plans to try this case,” and that representation won’t change between now and September. He also noted he’s likely to pursue additional assistance for his counsel, especially with motions in limine, jury selection and similar capital case complications.
Ovey-Wiggins reminded the court that filed motions have a deadline of July 12, and that a supplemental discovery motion from Deatherage remains in play.
Stinson’s bond is still at $2 million, and he’s incarcerated at the Christian County Jail following his extradition from California.
He’s expected back in court July 12.
