With a number of new complexities and considerations on the table, Judge Jamus Redd found he and the Trigg County Circuit Court had little choice Wednesday morning, but to agree with a sought continuance motion — and move the joined trial of Jonathan McCoy and Keisha Stewart from this summer to a February 13, 2025 start date.
Through a litany of various surrounding charges, the duo share alleged common threads in the 2020 murder and home arson of Trigg County’s Thelma Ileen Barnett.
Among the most notable concerns with a July trial date:
— The location and apprehension of Allison Hunter. Currently a “Fugitive of the Week” in Christian County, she potentially has paramount testimony necessary for both Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie Ovey-Wiggins and the defense team of Wesley Boyarski, Rick Lawniczak, Christy Hiance, Katy Riley and Steven Ellingsworth.
— The completion of a fully-vetted psycho-neurological assessment of McCoy. Hiance said this needed to include an exploration of disabilities, serious mental illness, schizophrenia, and other potential diagnoses, and their office expert cannot convene with the defendant until May.
— The complete review of all raw cell phone and DNA data. Hiance and Ovey-Wiggins both said most everything that can be provided has been made privy through discovery orders, but Hiance added that a good portion of their mitigation team will soon be tied up with a capital trial in Daviess County.
— And then, just last week, both the Commonwealth and defense were made aware and delivered considerable discovery from Caldwell County, all of which needs to be combed.
Hiance said over the last few weeks, the penalty phase of the coming trial has been reshaped.
Redd said February 13, 2025, will be a “firm date,” and in doing so canceled a pre-trial conference set for May 10, but opened a review on the April 10 rule day.
Meanwhile, Ovey-Wiggins did issue that McCoy’s Lyon County case, also involving arson, should go on as planned, and Redd agreed that be heard on July 15.
