Jury Selection

By Eyewitness News (WICHITA, Kan.) Jury selection is presumed to be open, under the U.S. Constitution. But, the judge in the Scott Roeder case has ruled media are not allowed during the process.  Judge Warren Wilbert has also sealed the juror questionnaire. KWCH-TV is challenging that ruling, along with the Wichita Eagle, Kansas City Star and Associated Press.  Eyewitness News would not identify jurors or their opinions, but believes in an open court as protected by the Constitution.

Jury selection is complete in the murder of a Hutchinson mother. Christopher Logsdon's trial will begin this week. He's charged with first degree murder in the death of Jennifer Heckel. Heckel was killed in her home in June 2011. She was shot in the back and head.  Prosecutors have said her death was a case of mistaken identity.  Logsdon and another man, Billy Joe Craig, Jr., are both charged with her murder. They both have pleaded not guilty. Opening statements in Logsdon's trial are expected Thursday.

by Cliff Judy (WICHITA, Kan.) Elgin Robinson's capital murder trial will go ahead as scheduled.  Thursday morning, a judge denied his attorney's motions to declare the Kansas death penalty unconstitutional and dismiss a charge of capital murder. Robinson is charged with hiring another man to kill pregnant Wichita teen Chelsea Brooks.  Brooks, 14, was nine months pregnant with Robinson's unborn child when she disappeared in June 2006.  Prosecutors say he hired Ted Burnett to strangle the girl for a combination of cash and drugs.

The trial begins for the owner of a Salina store accused of illegally selling "potpourri'. Prosecutors say Eric Srack sold herbal potpourri (used for smoking) at The Grind, adding the potpourri contained chemicals determined to be illegal drugs. Jury selection in the trial started early Wednesday morning and lasted into the late afternoon hours. After a jury of twelve (eight men and four women) were selected each side then gave their opening statements. The prosecution laid out what they called a “road map”.

by Cliff Judy (WINFIELD, Kan.) A Cowley County judge decides Wednesday afternoon that there's not enough evidence for accused killer Justin Thurber to stand trial.  Thurber is charged with killing Arkansas City teen Jodi Sanderholm in January 2007. During Wednesday afternoon's hearing, the judge announced Thurber will now be sent to Larned State Hospital for further evaluation while doctors try to determine his mental ability. Last week, defense attorneys filed a motion questioning Thurber's competency.

by Cliff Judy (WINFIELD, Kan.) Justin Thurber has been ruled competent to stand trial for capital murder.  Thurber is charged with killing 19-year-old Jodi Sanderholm in January 2007.  The Arkansas City teen's body was found sexually assaulted near the Kansas/Oklahoma border days after she disappeared. In the fall, defense attorneys filed a motion for the judge to have Thurber evaluated.  A defense expert said Thurber was incompetent to stand trial, and an independent expert's opinion was inconclusive.

The jury hears opening statements and the first witnesses Tuesday in the trial of a man accused in the fatal shooting a 13-year-old Wichita boy. Jury selection wrapped up in the morning. The case will be decided by a panel of 8 women and 5 men. One of the members of the jury is an alternate. Alejandro Betancourt is charged with first degree murder. The courtroom is packed for the first day of testimony. In it's opening statement, the prosecution told the jury that the shooting was meant to be revenge after a fight.

Jury selection is almost complete for the trial of a Kingman man accused of killing his wife.  Brett Seacat's trial is expected to start with opening statements this afternoon. Seacat, a former law enforcement instructor, is charged with murdering Vashti Seacat.  Her burned body was found among the charred remains of the couple's Kingman County home in April of 2011. Once the trial begins, Eyewitness News plans to provide a live stream of the court proceedings.  A court order prohibits us from live blogging, so we will provide updates on our website during court breaks.

Latest Update WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Prospective jurors in the murder trial of the man charged with killing a Wichita abortion doctor were being questioned in open court Thursday for the first time. The initial phase of jury selection for the trial of Scott Roeder had taken place behind closed doors for nearly six days in Sedgwick County District Court. Roeder is accused of fatally shooting Dr. George Tiller last May 31 at a Wichita church. Reporters were allowed into the courtroom Thursday afternoon for the first time as questioning of the 48 remaining panel members continued.

The attorneys for a former law enforcement officer charged with killing his wife are arguing last-minute motions before his murder trial next month. Brett Seacat is charged with first-degree murder in connection to Vashti Seacat's April 2011 death. Her body was found badly burned inside their Kingman home. An autopsy also found she suffered from a gunshot wound. A Kingman County judge granted defense motions Wednesday on limited testimony about the victim's past. The judge is also considering a defense motion on whether to allow autopsy photos that could be disturbing.