The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Defense to file motion for release of exhibits in 1981 murder case

Even though the trial against Daniel Woloson, the man charged with the 1981 killing of SIUC student Susan Schumake, remains set for Jan. 10, Public Defender Patricia Gross said she plans to file a motion.

Gross said she initially planned to file a motion for the release of all evidence exhibits at Monday's final pre-trial. However, she said she was unable to because Jackson County State's Attorney Michael Wepsiec did not give her reports until before the pre-trial hearing.

Wepsiec apologized to Judge Donald Lowery and Gross saying it took longer than expected to gather the supplemental discoveries, which includes a list of witnesses, report summaries and other specific items.

Before the hearing, Wepsiec set a box of reports and information relevant to the Schumake case on his table in front the judge. He said he is trying to be fair to Gross by not having every person listed in the box of reports as a witness. He said he only wants to use "essential" witnesses, but would not release the number, saying it would be revealed at the trial.

Gross said she was sure Wepsiec's apology was "heartfelt," but said she doesn't want the trial to continue on and on and asked the judge to set a deadline for supplemental discovery. Lowery set the deadline for Dec. 22.

Wepsiec said the report he gave Gross was previously disclosed in October, except for the last three pages. Gross said in order to file the motion, she needed that information to put the actual exhibit numbers on paper.

Gross said once she obtains the supplemental discovery, she would have her own DNA expert look over the samples. She told the judge she expects it to take a month or longer for the results.

Lowery said the trial date would remain scheduled for Jan. 10 until Gross files the motion.

Woloson was arrested in September and remains in the Jackson County Jail in Murphysboro on $500,000 bond. He is charged with three counts of murder and if found guilty, would face a minimum of 20 years and maximum of 40 years in prison for each count.

 

 

[Macro error: Can't include because the file is larger than 32767 characters.]

Today's News | Sports | Voices - Editorial | Letters
Newsbriefs | pulse - Arts & Entertainment | Calendar | Photo Staff
Apts & Rentals | Photo Personals | Live DE NewsCam | Classified Ads