Motion to delay trial denied in Catlett murder case

Trial will commence on February 12 as planned for Julius Catlett Jr. following a tense hearing concerning DNA testing Wednesday in the Christian Circuit Courtroom of Judge Andrew Self.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Lynn Pryor put forth a request to continue the trial to a later date, so further DNA testing could be done on a red shirt that was reportedly found in Catlett’s residence following the shooting. Pryor informed the court gunshot residue had been located on the shirt in question, along with a hair that could determine that the shirt was Catlett’s.

Technicians from the Kentucky State Police Central Forensic Laboratory testified they did not conduct further testing on the shirt after finding the hair, because it was found in Catlett’s room instead of the scene of the crime and had no blood on it.

Catlett’s attorney, Brandi Jones, feels that Pryor has not made enough effort to make sure testing was completed in time for trial.

After hearing testimony and arguments, Judge Self denied the motion to delay, saying he saw no basis to do so.

http://media.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1411/files/2018/01/0118SELFDENIES.mp3

Trial has been delayed before in this case due to testing and his been a source of dispute in previous hearings.

Catlett is charged with murder for allegedly shooting Shaun Smith in September 2016 at a party on Younglove Street. He was arrested later in Evansville, Indiana.                                                                                                **