Will Steven Wiggins, Joseph Daniels’ trials both take place February 2020?
The trial for Steven Wiggins, the man charged with first degree murder in the May shooting death of Dickson County Sgt. Daniel Baker, has been pushed back to February next year.
Wiggins’ trial is now scheduled to take place the same month jury selection begins for Joseph Ray Daniels and Krystal Daniels’ trial.
Joseph Daniels is charged with murdering his 5-year-old son, Joe Clyde. Krystal Daniels is charged with aggravated child neglect.
Nashville attorney James Simmons, who took over representation of Wiggins in December after Public Defender Jake Lockert removed himself, asked Dickson County Circuit Court Judge David Wolfe for more time.
Wolfe, during his ruling, indicated that Simmons wanted a witness on the stand that would not have been available in August this year. The Wiggins trial was originally scheduled for August.
Simmons argued during the hearing that his team has encountered “problems” and that the case requires a “thorough examination.” Citing previous state and U.S Supreme Court death penalty appeals, Simmons repeated the phrase, “No one wants to try this case twice.”
“We ask that we be given sufficient time to prepare for his trial,” Simmons said.
District Attorney General Ray Crouch argued that the justice had already been delayed too long.
“I understand completely the state’s position in this case. I understand the family’s position in this case,” said Wolfe, as Baker’s widow and family sat in the audience. “My obligation is not to do what necessarily I want to do. But to do what the law requires me to do.”
“If I deny that opportunity, then I am creating an issue that could result in a reversal...a vacating of the death penalty, if there is one imposed,” Wolfe added.
Like Wiggins, Erika Castro-Miles is also charged with first degree murder in the death of Baker on May 30. Her trial was tentatively planned for August along with Wiggins.
Castro-Miles' case has, however, been "severed" from the Wiggins' case.
https://www.tennessean.com/story/new...20/3436585002/
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