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Trial over death of Trumann police officer continued

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Officer Jonathan Schmidt was shot and killed during a traffic stop (KAIT)

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Updated: 7/23/2011 6:53 am

Published: 7/23/2011 6:52 am

TRUMANN, Ark. (AP) — A capital murder trial for a man accused of killing a police officer during a traffic stop in northeast Arkansas has been continued to next year.

Circuit Judge Brent Davis on Friday set Jerry Lard's trial date for Feb. 13, 2012.

Lard is charged with capital murder among other offenses after authorities say he shot and killed Trumann police Officer Jonathan Schmidt in April.

Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington hasn't announced whether he'll seek the death penalty in the case.

Lard's lawyers have entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. One of his attorneys, Teri Chambers, declined to comment Friday.

Lard's being held without bond in a Craighead County jail.

Associated Press

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webrik33 - 7/24/2011 8:04 AM

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I see more and more comments about 'Frontier' justice or 'Wild West' justice and it just tickles me pink. Where's Judge Isaac Parker when we need him? This guy is on video killing this young officer, why wait till Feb? Clear the docket, hear the case, and get this guy where he belongs...six feet under!

sixshooter - 7/23/2011 4:47 PM

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why wait that long should take about 10 minute and HANG him

KittyDigitize - 7/23/2011 11:23 AM

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They KNOW he did it. It's on camera. I say if there is video footage and it's YOU identified as killing an officer, you die the next morning at sun up. Worked for the American west back in the day. Needs to come back now. No reason for killing any police officer! No reason for appeals when there is valid VIDEO and no reason for wasting the taxpayers money. "....Live by the sword, die by the sword."

trace72521 - 7/23/2011 10:39 AM

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Leave it up to the justice system to let him live longer and prepare for a case that they think he will win and get out earlier for good behavior. What about the life he has taken? I believe that if you take someones life ( the way he did ) that yours should be taken too. If you rob a bank you automatically get life in prison and if you commit murder all you get is a slap on the hand and put in jail with more rights than us that have to feed them while they are there, untill the judge decides that they are ready to listen to the case.

ender929 - 7/23/2011 10:19 AM

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Why are we waiting until next year? Is judicial system in Arkansas so incapable of providing a more timely trial? The defendent apparently has more than one lawyer available to aid in his defense, and there are apparently multiple witnesses and ballistic evidence. Surely two or more lawyers are capable of insuring the rights of defendent are observed. So why the lengthy delay?

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