Javarius Hurd
MERRILL, WI (WSAU) — The reckless homicide trial against Javarius Hurd appears poised to stay in Lincoln County, as both sides spent Thursday whittling down a potential jury pool.
According to court records, about one-third of the potential jurors were not available for various reasons, including age and disability. The sides also debated about three dozen disputed jurors.
The sides will continue their work next week, with another status conference set for August 25th at 9:00 AM. Court records also indicate that Hurd’s defense team has filed for a change of venue “based on results of prospective juror questionnaires.”
The now 18-year-old was 16 when investigators say he lashed out against Officer Proulx as he was trying to restrain him in an outdoor recreation area. Proulx fell and hit his head on a hard surface, and died a few hours later.
Hurd previously pled guilty by reason of mental disease or defect but withdrew that plea in May.
This isn’t the first time that the potential jury pool for the case has been questioned. Earlier this year, a phase two trial, which would have focused on Hurd’s mental state at the time of the incident, was pushed back after at least a dozen potential jurors were thrown out for various reasons.
The trial is scheduled to run from October 19-30. Hurd faces two additional charges for battery by prisoners and is also facing four counts for expelling bodily substances at jail staff, which were filed earlier this summer. That case is also scheduled for a hearing today.
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Hurd faces decades in prison if found guilty. An accomplice, Ryan Nybloom, is serving prison time for providing a cup of soapy water that Hurd threw in the face of another correctional officer at before he allegedly attacked Proulx.
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