MASON COUNTY — After three days of selection, a jury has been seated in the trial of Chad W. McCallister, 31, Apple Grove, with proceedings to continue at 9:15 a.m., Friday, Dec. 14.
A jury of 12, including one alternate, was agreed upon by both the defense and state around 2 p.m., Thursday afternoon.
After the jury was chosen, Judge David W. Nibert asked jurors to “keep an open mind” and to refrain from speaking about the case to anyone. He also asked jurors to refrain from reading any news reports about the case, including newspapers and websites. He strongly urged jurors to pay attention to the facts in the case only as they will be presented in the courtroom.
Also present in the courtroom was McCallister and a substantial legal team to fight the murder and conspiracy charges, of which McCallister has consistently denied. Also present on Thursday, several supporters of McCallister who filled up the first two rows of benches behind him.
There have been 31 witnesses subpoenaed for the trial.
McCallister was charged in the 2011 murder of Rene Gonzalez along with Steven L. Adkins, Jr., 26, Apple Grove and Matthew C. Woods, 25, Gallipolis Ferry. Adkins is set to go to trial in March and Woods has since pleaded guilty to second degree murder.
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