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Jury selection begins in student murder case |
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Thursday, 20 September 2007 |
by JAMISON DORAN
News Editor
One of the three suspects in the murder of Appalachian State University student Stephen W. Harrington began his trial on Monday.
Kyle Q. Triplett is accused of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous
weapon, and felony burning of personal property.
Matthew B. Dalrymple and Neil M. Sargeant also face charges and their separate trials are scheduled to begin in early 2008.
The crimes the three are accused of carry with them a possible death sentence if they are convicted.
However, last Friday in a pre-trial hearing, Dalrymple agreed to
testify against Triplett and for his testimony the death penalty will
no longer be an option in his trial.
Due to the phrase “use immunity,” any statements that are used during
Triplett’s trial cannot be used against Dalrymple during his trial.
Triplett’s trial is scheduled to last five weeks and jury selection is currently being held.
There were a total of 59 jurors called and 16 will be chosen. There will be 12 jurors along with four alternates.
The court has also discussed the credibility of witnesses that will be
brought to testify as well as evidence that can be brought into court.
Harrington’s body was found Nov. 8, 2005, on Sleepy Hollow Lane in Foscoe.
Firefighters responded to a report of a burning car and found Harrington’s body in the trunk. He had his
hands duct taped behind his back as well as his mouth and nose covered in duct tape.
The defense issued the first motion of the trial and asked that further
testing be done on the duct tape. This motion was denied.
Once the jury is selected, which will likely be by the end of the week, opening statements will begin.
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