Still Camera Use Denied For Final Day of Kruger Trial

Nintey six Kingsbury County residents have been called for possible jury duty in the upcoming trial of Melissa Kruger, the former DeSmet High School student accused of making threats against students and staff at DeSmet High School on Facebook. Kruger is charged with making terroristic threats and simple assault. The Kingsbury County Clerk of Courts office says 150 juror questionnaires were sent out. Lawyers earlier this week paired the list down to 96 in a motions hearing. Prospective jurors will be questioned in groups of 60 in the morning and 36 in the afternoon on the first day of the three day trial June 29th. The first known attempt to use South Dakota’s new Cameras in the Courtroom law was made at the hearing. In a written response to a request by Performance Radio of Huron, Judge David Gienapp denied the use of a still camera saying all three parties could not agree to a camera’s use. Gienapp says he will decide on the possible use of an audio recorder can sometime next week. If an audio device is allowed, it would only be permitted IF the trial lasts to Friday July 1st, the first day the new law is in effect.