By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
Previous coverage
* ‘At a particular place at a particular time’
* Jury set in murder trial of Norman General Store owner
* Prospective juror caught up in gambling ring
* Race becomes an issue in jury selection
* Defense works from “presumption of innocence”
* Jury selection begins in murder trial
ROCKINGHAM — An unspecified medical emergency experienced by one of the defense attorneys has caused a delay on Thursday in the murder trial of Jackson Springs resident Alexander Ingram.
Ingram is charged with killing former Norman General Store owner Michael Leverne Collins Sr. by beating him to death with a hammer late Nov. 26, 2012.
Superior Court Judge Richard T. Brown did not specify whether it was Frank Wells or Stephen Freedman who experienced the medical emergency, nor did he offer details on the type of medical emergency. However, The Pee Dee Post confirmed that it was Freedman, and something happened that required him to consult an eye doctor.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
On Wednesday afternoon, the start of the trial stalled when defense attorneys and Assistant District Attorney Dawn Layton could not find a second and third suitable alternate for the 12-person jury.
The field of prospective jurors had whittled to only three by late Wednesday afternoon. Brown indicated it was time to call in a second pool of prospective jurors. The first field consisted of 49 individuals; 46 people reporting this morning. They were, however, sent home and later given instructions to report back to the Richmond County Judicial Center at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Discussion