Trial preparations continue in the murder case against Cortez Hairston Jr, the man accused in the 2021 fatal shooting of Adrian Acree, as both parties met to discuss proceedings in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday morning.
Special Prosecutor Zach Greenwell made a request that they hold a deposition hearing for the medical examiner that conducted the autopsy on Acree, and then present a recording of that hearing to the jury at trial, as the expert witness will be out of the country the day of the trial. Greenwell says he knows both sides would prefer he be in person, but he is hesitant to delay trial any further.
Defense attorney Tricia Lister, representing Hairston in court, objected to the motion, saying trials are ever-changing and a video wouldn’t have the same impact on a jury.
Ultimately, Judge John Atkins granted the motion to have a deposition hearing and have a recording of that hearing be presented to the jury—trial is currently set to begin on August 5. Judge Atkins ordered the parties to arrange when that hearing can take place and inform the court.
A grand jury in April of last year indicted Hairston for murder and 24-year old Jaila Sherrod and 23-year old Dekorian Daniel for complicity to murder in connection with the October, 2021 fatal shooting death of the 23-year old Acree at Sharpe and Jones Street in Hopkinsville.