Harold Jett’s defense attorneys — Amie Martinez and Rick Lawniczak — now have a little extra time to prepare their efforts for the Illinois man charged with murdering his aunt.
During Wednesday’s pre-trial conference in Trigg County Circuit Court, Judge Jamus Redd found common ground for the defense and the Commonwealth’s office — moving Jett’s trial from August 21 to September 16-24, 2024.
In buying one month, the defending tandem can further review discovery in the October 2021 strangulation death of Jett’s aunt, Mary Dullenty.
Martinez and Lawniczak stated their hopes for a trial in the summer or fall of 2024.
However, Commonwealth’s Attorney Carrie-Ovey Wiggins urged that her office was ready and prepared for the trial this August — while noting the defense’s stress and undue frustrations.
In her opinion, Ovey-Wiggins stated that the facts of the case “are not complicated,” and that it wouldn’t take long to create a jury and complete the trial.
Charges of murder and first-degree strangulation aren’t the only concerns for Jett. He’s also been tabbed with first-degree evading police, speeding 26 miles an hour or greater and first-degree burglary — all related to Dullenty’s death. Jett was arrested at Dullenty’s residence.
He remains incarcerated at the Christian County Jail on a bond of $1 million.
Another pre-trial conference was set for early May.
