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Exford Double Murder Trial Starts Monday with Jury
Selection
Published: March 06, 2022 at
07:00 p.m.
By: Nick Altmire
Pictured: Shawn L. Exford (R) appears for a final
pre-trial conference in Lewis County Court on
March 4, 2022 with attorney
John Hallett(L)
Lowville, NY- Jury selection
begins Monday in Lowville for the double murder and arson trial of Shawn L.
Exford.
It was exactly two
years ago today that a Lewis County grand jury handed up a 13-count
indictment, on March 6, 2020, charging Mr. Exford with multiple counts
of murder, arson and reckless endangerment in connection to a double-fatal
apartment house fire at 7525 S. State St. in Lowville on November
30, 2019 that killed Catherine A. Crego and Saratina R. Kilbourne.
Mr. Exford,
jailed following his March 6, 2020 arraignment on the charges, was released
on August 30, 2021 after bail was posted just weeks before he was originally
scheduled to stand trial. He has remained free on bail since that time.
After several postponements,
the trial is expected to begin on Monday with Judge Daniel R. King presiding.
Mr. Exford is represented by Watertown attorney John Hallett and the
prosecution will be led by Assistant Lewis County District Attorney Caleb Petzoldt.
The first step
will be seating the jury. That process can take a day or two. After the
jury has been selected both sides will then present their opening arguments
to the jury, followed by the presentation of the prosecution’s case,
including any witness testimony and introduction of evidence. The defense
then has a chance to present any witnesses or evidence, although they are
not required to do so. Both sides then make their closing arguments and the case is turned over to the jury for
deliberation. The entire process is expected to take two to three weeks to
complete.
Linkinglewiscounty.com will be
providing full coverage from the trial through the duration. In a ruling on
Friday, Judge King rejected our request to provide a live video and audio stream
from inside the courtroom throughout the trial, however our camera will be
allowed to take video/photos throughout the trial to use for updates, but
no audio can be recorded. We’ll be able to do live updates from outside the
courtroom a few times a day to keep everyone updated on the latest
information and we’re planning to provide a summary of each day’s activity
each evening.
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