Stafford trial reset for Nov. 28

   Derrick Stafford will go to trial on Nov. 28 on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the Nov. 3, 2015  shooting death of 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis and the shooting of Chris Few, the child’s father.

  12th Judicial District Judge Billy Bennett granted the motion to postpone the trial after prosecutor John Sinquefield said the state would not object to the delay. He recommended Stafford’s trial be set for the week previously scheduled for co-defendant Norris Greenhouse Jr.  Greenhouse’s trial will be rescheduled for early next year.

    Bennett deferred acting on attorney Jonathan Goins’ motion to move the trial out of Avoyelles Parish. The judge said that decision will be made after jury selection begins, to better determine whether Stafford is able to get a fair trial in this parish. Both sides agreed there has been extensive media coverage, but Bennett said that is not reason enough to move the trial. The trial can only be moved if the defendant cannot get a fair and impartial trial in the parish where the offense occurred, and that cannot be determined until prospective jurors are questioned, he said.

   Three motions were approved after the prosecution agreed to comply with the defense’s requests in those motions -- that criminal records of all witnesses be provided, that any evidence favorable to the defendant be provided to the defense attorneysand that Stafford and his attorneys be allowed to visit the scene of the Nov. 3 incident.

   Bennett denied a motion to require that the defense be given access to Few’s psychiatric history and treatment. He said medical records relating to Few’s condition on the night of the shooting have been provided to the defense, and his past medical history and records are not relevant.

   He approved allowing funding for an accident reconstruction expert -- contingent on the defense proving Stafford is indigent and unable to afford the cost of such an expert. The request for funds for an expert to testify about use of force in the case will be heard on Aug. 15.