Trial to go on as planned for Jamal Mounts

Trial will take place as planned in September for Jamal Mounts, the man accused of killing his mother and assaulting his aunt in 2014, after a motion to continue was denied Wednesday.

Mounts appeared in the Christian Circuit Courtroom of Judge Andrew Self with his attorneys. Defense attorney Stephanie Mize says Mounts requested the trial be continued to allow him more time to prepare his defense now that he is “more mentally sound”. Mounts says “previous mental health issues”, along with being in isolation at the Christian County Jail, has hindered his ability to get ready for trial.

Mounts has been in custody for several years and trial has been delayed before. Mize told the court that Commonwealth’s Attorney Lynn Pryor had offered a final plea deal, but Mounts did not accept it. Pryor says she has been ready to go to trial and she expressed frustration at the request to push it back.

Judge Self denied the request and told everyone to be ready to go to trial on September 10 as planned. The trial is expected to take a week. Mounts is accused of killing his mother, 65-year old Roxie Mounts, and assaulting 69-year old Marvelyn Spray on Elm Street in March 2014. He is charged with murder, burglary, assault and resisting arrest.