Final Pool Not Called: 53 Jurors Remain In Ken Huber Re-trial

Ken Huber is led in handcuffs and leg shackles to the Beadle County Courthouse Friday

A decision has been made to take the 53 jurors selected after a day and a half of jury selection in the re-trial of Ken Huber to final striking on Monday afternoon.  45 jurors were released from duty Friday morning.  The fourth and final pool of about 30 prospective jurors were told they did not have to come to the Beadle County Courthouse for questioning.  At least 55 jurors were supposed to have been selected for possible service to hear evidence not presented in Huber’s first trial in Fort Pierre.  Lawyers for both sides will select 20 jurors from the 53. Those will be paired down to the final 15. A number of jurors released in the three pools so far were employed by the Huron Regional Medical Center. All have sited staff shortages are reasons for being released. Only one is left in the pool 53. For the second day a number of farmers and self-employed business owners have been excused. Ken Huber faces charges of 1st degree murder and 1st degree manslaughter in the shooting death of his wife Pam in October of 2007. The South Dakota Supreme Court granted Huber a new trial in Huron after the High Court ruled a defense witness should have been allowed to testify. Opening statements are set for Tuesday afternoon.