Day One Of Testimony Complete In Huber Retrial

Six men and nine women from Beadle County heard opening statements from lawyers in the re-trial of former Highmore Police Chief Ken Huber. Assistant Attorney General Pattie DeVaney  told jurors they would hear about a deeply troubled marriage with a long history of physical and mental abuse and three extramarital affairs that Huber had prior to shooting his wife Pam in the forehead. Devaney told jurors Pam Huber struggled to keep her family together in the face of the turmoil and that Ken Huber was in a downward spiral after losing his job. She says the only way the Glock handgun could have fired is that Ken Huber pulled the trigger. Defense attorney Mike Butler says Pam Huber was awake at the time of the shooting and that the lights were on. He said Huber’s daughter was talking with her moments before the gun discharged. He also said both of the Huber’s daughter’s will testify that the family was having a “good day” on the day of the shooting. Butler told the jury Pam Huber was trying to keep Ken certified as a law officer and why would Ken want to stop that process by killing his wife. He also plans on calling at least two expert witnesses to testify that the accidental discharge of a firearm, even by trained law enforcement personnel is possible. Pam Huber’s son Jeremy Mason testified that he felt in competition with Ken for his mom’s attention and that Ken Huber want people in Highmore to know HE was in charge. All four Pam’s sisters testifying about a number of e-mails she exchanged with Pam about the affairs and abusive relationship. A number of other witnesses confrimed Pam Huber had a black eye in March of 2007 but all under cross examination said as far as they knew the marriage was not in trouble in the months prior to the shooting. South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Jason Jaris  retrieved a tape that was played for the jury. In it, Ken Huber was talking with Pam about their financial problems and made call threats about taking the couples children away. Pam Huber also apologized on the tape for hitting her husband but said she wanted him to know what it was like. Prior to opening statements this morning, Judge James Anderson told jurors at some point in the trial they will be transported to Highmore to view the crime scene.