The Thursday September 24 judge revealed what prompted an unexpected adjournment on Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing Racine’s policeman, John Hetland Juror assigned to Dalquavis Ward trial excused after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
RACINE, Wis – The judge on Thursday, Sept 24 revealed what caused an unexpected adjournment on Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing Racine cop John Hetland A juror assigned to the Dalquavis Ward trial was apologized after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
The defense asked to quash the trial, arguing the trial shouldn’t take place during a pandemic, but the judge decided to proceed, and it was a crucial day in court
« It’s the anxiety of the stranger that I think will interfere with M Ward’s due process is the most, « said Charles Glynn, Ward’s attorney
Ward’s lawyer fired after it was revealed that a juror came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19
« The juror received the results this morning, and she was negative for COVID-19, » Judge Boyle said « Our health department has indicated we may resume work »
« I think we have a big problem, » said Glynn « I think the solution is to declare the trial quashed »
« With all due respect for declaring the trial vacated, I am not going to do this, » Justice Boyle said
With that, the state called Lisa Treffinger with the Wisconsin State Crime Lab
Surveillance shows Agent Hetland struggles with a masked thief just before he was shot and killed at Teezers Bar in June 2019, Treffinger said DNA was collected from the body, clothing and ‘other places in Hetland She said what was gathered led to a verified match with another man in a database
« According to the CODIS database, who was the individual who appeared consistent in the DNA collected the way we have discussed? » asked Michael Graveley, District Attorney for Kenosha County
Three witnesses appeared in Dalquavis Ward’s trial on Wednesday, including a retired firefighter and an emergency paramedic who tried to save Constable Hetland’s life
Jury, coronavirus, police officer
News from the world – GB – ‘Big problem:’ Juror in officer death case comes into contact with COVID
