logo
Jury selection to head into fifth day for Kendrick's trial in SCI-Somerset sergeant's killing

Jury selection to head into fifth day for Kendrick's trial in SCI-Somerset sergeant's killing

Yahoo21-03-2025

SOMERSET, Pa. – Jury selection will head into a fifth day for the capital murder trial of a state prison inmate accused of killing an SCI-Somerset corrections sergeant in 2018.
Another full day of questioning of potential jurors Thursday added one more person to the panel. That brings the number of jurors to 11, one short of the 12 needed for a full panel.
Paul Jawon Kendrick, 29, is charged with homicide in the case, and would face the possibility of the death penalty if he is convicted of first-degree murder.
Paul Jawon Kendrick
This undated photo provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections shows inmate Paul Jawon Kendrick, accused of fatally assaulting correctional officer Sgt. Mark Baserman on Feb. 15, 2018, at a state prison in Somerset.
Kendrick is accused of fatally beating Sgt. Mark Baserman, 60, who died while hospitalized two weeks after an altercation in an SCI-Somerset 'day room.' Another corrections officer was also injured in the incident.
Cambria County Senior Judge Patrick Kiniry, who is presiding over the case in Somerset County court, has scheduled a full day of selection Friday to complete the panel and allow attorneys to select four alternate jurors, who would step in to help decide the case if one or more jurors isn't able to complete the task.
Court officials have anticipated that the trial, and if necessary a capital penalty phase, could run for two weeks or more once a panel of jurors is seated.
Thursday's questioning wrapped up just before 6 p.m.
Groups of potential jurors have arrived for jury duty daily since Monday, assembling in a courtroom for instruction each morning before entering a jury room one at a time for individual questioning about their feelings on murder, the death penalty and other topics related to the case.
According to Somerset County Court Administrator Tammy Escalera, 42 potential jurors were interviewed or had their questionnaires considered Thursday. Approximately 60 more have not yet been interviewed, and more than half were on deck to appear for jury selection Friday.
Somerset County residents called for jury duty can be ruled out by Kiniry following their interviews if they are deemed unable or unfit to fairly serve.
But prosecutors and defense attorneys each entered jury selection with 20 preemptive 'strikes' at their discretion, which can be used to rule out a potential juror who is deemed less than ideal for their case.
On Thursday, those strikes started adding up, with each side using a handful. Each side has now used 11 strikes, meaning each has nine remaining.
As attorneys on both sides have often said, it's their duty to find people who are not only willing to serve on a homicide case – but also would maintain an open mind even if a defendant is found guilty of intentionally killing someone.
A suitable juror must then be willing to weigh arguments for a sentence of life in prison without parole or a death sentence – and be willing to cast their individual vote to support their decision. As dozens of potential jurors have told attorneys this week, that's not easy.
But that's nothing unusual, defense attorney Edward 'E.J.' Rymsza said after court. The Williamsport attorney has spent more than 15 years defending clients in capital cases.
'Sometimes, it takes weeks to select (a jury),' he said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police biker safety campaign to 'educate the public'
Police biker safety campaign to 'educate the public'

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Police biker safety campaign to 'educate the public'

Motorbike riders have to ride "defensively" because drivers do not look out for them, some have told the BBC. To highlight these issues with road safety Avon and Somerset Police has joined a national campaign to reduce fatalities on two-wheeled vehicles. According to the force, there have been 28 fatal collisions involving powered two-wheel vehicles since January 2023. William Tucker, 22, from Somerset said everyone around him always warn him to "go safe - don't push it too hard". More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol "You get some car users who don't see the bikes," he said. "It is part of the risk of having a bike - you have to ride quite defensively otherwise you will come to grief." Mykel Brereton, 23, from Watchet who has had a few "near misses" said it is "all great until you need to pull out somewhere". "People don't look out you and think you're small so think they can beat your bike. It's not good at all," he said. Alaistair Lockwood, 24, from Taunton said a "big part of biking" is the "kind" community that looks out for each other. "Just don't be another statistic - as long as you're aware that other road users are a hazard to you," he said. As part of the national road safety campaign Avon and Somerset Police said it would take on extra measures including, patrols of high-risk routes and use of drones. Matt Boiles from Avon Somerset Police explained that the campaign is not just "focusing on bikes and prosecuting bikers". "It's about educating the public as a whole to the risks that bikers are exposed to and the risks they expose themselves by their riding," he said. The campaign takes place from 2-15 June. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Cyclists and bikers' road safety campaign launched Campaign tackles 'concerning' rise in road deaths Avon and Somerset Police

Church reopens after anti-social behaviour 'reset'
Church reopens after anti-social behaviour 'reset'

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Yahoo

Church reopens after anti-social behaviour 'reset'

A churchyard in a town centre has reopened after it was forced to close for a month because of anti-social behaviour. St John's the Baptist's Church in the centre of Glastonbury, Somerset, stopped all church-related activities, other than Sunday services and funerals, during May for a "reset". David Smith, churchwarden said it was a "horrible" decision to close but added: "The raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug dealing - that obviously is unacceptable." The decision split opinions in the town but Avon and Somerset Police said the closure was "challenging", but a "necessary" step to protect safety. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The church say they're working with Glastonbury Town Council, local businesses and the Police as the churchyard reopens. Mr Smith continued: "I believe the closure was the reset we needed and we've had good feedback from the public as we reopened." Paul Manning is a town councillor and runs a business just off the High Street and said anti-social behaviour in the town is a "barrier" to tourists. He said: "The businesses at the top end of the High Street suffer because of anti-social behaviour. We need to all work together to address this." It comes after the BBC reported in January that some Glastonbury shop workers said more work needed to be done to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour. A police spokesperson previously told the BBC: "We have been working closely with representatives from the church and the local authority to combat anti-social behaviour in and around Glastonbury." Dandelion Chalice runs a business in Glastonbury and said it was a "huge shame" to close the churchyard. He said: "I felt it was upsetting to shut a Christian place of worship. "But I understand it as the churchyard was much more peaceful when it was closed. "You can't have people fighting next to families having picnics." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Churchyard closes due to anti-social behaviour Calls for more action on crime, despite crackdown

Man who flipped car over onto roof is handed driving ban
Man who flipped car over onto roof is handed driving ban

Yahoo

time01-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Man who flipped car over onto roof is handed driving ban

A MAN who had been drinking when he flipped his car over onto its roof while driving through Marston Magna has been given a 16-month driving ban by the courts. Ronnie Andrew Howes had been drinking before getting behind the wheel and being involved in a single vehicle accident on the A359. After being taken to hospital for checks he provided a blood sample which showed he was over the limit, Somerset Magistrates were told. Howes, 35, of Hood Road, Yeovil pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving on November 2 last year. Prosecutor Genna Morgan said on the day in question the police were alerted at 1.45pm of an accident involving a single car on the A359 at Marston Magna. MORE COURT NEWS: Motorist - who swerved to avoid pothole and crashed - is banned for drink driving 'When they arrived they found a vehicle on its roof and could see the driver was under the influence of something, was slurring his words and smelt of alcohol,' she said. Howes was checked over by paramedics and taken to hospital and a blood test revealed a reading of 129mlg of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mlg of alcohol. Defending solicitor Greg Peters said his client blamed the incident on a 'moment of madness.' 'He says it will have a profound effect on his life both physically and mentally as he now has a serious wrist injury and limited mobility,' he said. MORE COURT NEWS: Teenager on motorbike - with cocaine and cannabis in system - fled from police 'He is grateful that nobody else was hurt and just cannot explain why he drove that day.' At the time Howes was homeless but had just secured a new job and would now be investing in a bike to be able to get to work. Alongside the driving disqualification the magistrates fined him £461 with a £184 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store