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Thursday, November 20, 2008, 3:18 PM
Johnson jury will not come from Wake County By Gina Childress Daily Times Staff Writer The jury that will decide the fate of James A. Johnson will not be selected in Wake County after all. Resident Superior Court Judge Milton F. Fitch Jr. told attorneys in the case today that the Trial Court Administrator for the 7th Judicial District, Bill Nicholls, contacted the trial court administrator in Wake County, only to be told that their courthouse was being renovated and that facilities would not be available for jury selection. Fitch met with special prosecutor, David W. McFadyen, and defense attorneys Irving Joyner and William F.W. Massengale, in Wilson County Superior Court to discuss the logistics of selecting a jury. Johnson was indicted by a Wilson County grand jury Jan. 4, as an accessory after the fact of first-degree murder in the rape, kidnapping and murder of 17-year-old Willis. Johnson stands accused of helping Kenneth Meeks clean Willis' SUV after the murder. Meeks pleaded guilty in 2006 to second-degree murder and is now serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Monday, Johnson appeared in court with his attorneys and pleaded not guilty to accessory after the fact of first-degree murder. Joyner also filed several motions, one of which was to request a change of venue. During that hearing, Fitch denied the request to move the trial, stating that he believed it should take place in Wilson. He did rule, though, that the jury should be picked from another county and brought to Wilson. Fitch told both sides that he was open to suggestions. While the state and the defense began discussing alternate counties to obtain a jury, Fitch made his feelings clear about a resolution of the case. "It is this Court's intent that this matter get resolved in a timely manner," Fitch said. "From what I can see this matter has been pending for a long time and all parties involved deserve for it to come to a conclusion. I will do whatever is necessary to have this matter move forward." Fitch said that once Nicholls has had a chance to speak with the other trial court administrators and relates his findings to all parties involved, he would make his decision. gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821
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