MONROE TRIAL DELAYED…BUT JUST ONE DAY
Murphysboro attorney Paul Christenson
SALINE/JACKSON COs.—Everyone who has been wondering how Paul Christenson is going to pull off starting jury selection for his client Tim Monroe in Saline County while handling a preliminary hearing for Kristina Martin in Jackson County now no longer has to speculate: He isn’t.
Kristina Martin
Monroe’s trial has been delayed one more day, but not because of any machinations on the parts of any of the players: reportedly, Christenson has a murder case he’s handling elsewhere, and has closing arguments in that case tomorrow afternoon (01.26.10). The judge in the murder case is allowing him to handle Tina Martin’s prelim at 8:30 in the morning as scheduled.
Scheduled at the same time as Tina for a prelim are her husband, Raymond Martin and step-son, Cody Martin. They all face multiple charges in an alleged murder-for-hire scheme that emerged early this month; the charges remain in Jackson County and have not been bumped up to fed. Raymond, however, has had his fed case trial date moved to April 12 on account of the new charges.
Monroe’s jury selection will then go off on Wednesday, 01.27.10.
Monroe’s trial has been pending since his arrest in April 2008 on charges that he sold cocaine to local dweeb Rodney Marcum, who hangs with a bunch that includes the likes of the Fonsecas and the county’s prosecutor Mike Henshaw (even though Henshaw says they only have a casual acquaintance, along the lines of the fact that Marcum is some kind of masonry worker and did some work for the prosecutor in days past.)
Interestingly, a week ago, Marcum, clear out of the blue, submitted a statement into the evidence file which reads that he has never seen cocaine in his life except for the coke that Monroe sold him during the incident in question.
Saline prosecutor Mike Henshaw
We’ve been told that Henshaw isn’t planning on calling Marcum to the stand as a witness. It’s unknown whether Christenson will do so…but it’s probably highly likely. We don’t know if subpoenas have been issued for Marcum, or whether he’s just laying really, really low and hoping his statement will speak for him.
But if Christenson does call Marcum, the prediction he gave Henshaw last month about the trial being a “bloodbath” will probably begin with Marcum’s testimony, as it’s alleged that he’s part of the inner circle of Henshaw/Robert Wilson/George Henley/Jimbo Watson/John B. Jones/David Cox/Paul McSparin/others of their ilk…and that Marcum’s ‘part’ is that of the provider of “the good stuff.”
We will be bringing the most up to the minute stuff we can on both the Martin and Monroe cases as they progress, and as much coverage as possible in the print version, on stands Feb. 8-10.
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Short URL: http://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/?p=1969
Posted by Jack Howser
on Jan 25 2010. Filed under Saline.
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OldDog, I’ll give a quick rundown of the Jimbos House of Brew incident in question. On the night Monroe was arrested and later released, officers responded to a disturbance at the bar. Upon arrival, officers learned that Monroe and Allen had been the two involved in the disturbance. Officers had probable cause to believe that both Monroe and Allen had committed an offense (disorderly conduct, at the very least) and were removed from the scene and transported to the Saline County Detention Center. After the two suspects were taken away, law enforcement learned that Allen was the aggressor and Monroe the victim. Sometimes it’s a good idea to get the “potential” risks away from the scene quickly to preserve peace and safety for everone else at that location. I know all this information because it was my case, my investigation and my decision to release the victim without charges. As far as the reason for the fight… I was told, but couldn’t have ever proven it in court and to be honest, it’s not the police’s job to figure out WHY someone broke the law, only that they DID.
In regards to your comment, “Everyone was terrified of the police it seemed.”… Are you seeeerious??? With all due respect OldDog, I can’t remember a time that I’ve been into a bar where I could get out in a reasonable time due to patrons wanting to chat and I sincerely doubt that I’m terrifying.
Thanks & Happy Ground Hog Day-
Whipper
Thanks Whipper. I was not meaning to say that “everyone was terrified of the police” in an accusatory way. I think that many of them were just afraid because they were drinking and probably going to be driving. I thought it was handled well by the police. I will go ahead and believe that you would have done the same for me. I truly believe that it was handled properly if an innocent man was actually let go. I wish more officers would handle cases in that manner. I wish the police could make more decisions as to who actually needs to be arrested. Usually it is a matter of spending the night in a holding cell and going to see a judge the next day before anyone is released. Then a person has to prove they are not guilty. I would like to see more of this kind of treatment by the police.
I do not hang out at bars Whipper, but I know it changes the atmosphere when the police come in. I suppose the ones that were scared probably had reason to be except for the friends I mentioned who just were there to play music and avoid trouble.
I will say the more I get to know the officers in Saline County and in Harrisburg, the more I am encouraged that the future of local law enforcement is in good hands. Thanks for clearing that up and I will not jump to conclusions again. I didn’t know it was groundhog day so I am leaving work now to celebrate.