Dabrett Black will be back in court for another pre-trial hearing on Thursday, September 26, 2019. The Change of location is expected to be addressed.
This could be the first time Freestone County has needed a Change of Venue, and District Attorney was on hand to explain some of the process.
A Change of Venue is to ensure that the jury is not familiar with the facts, the case or any of the people involved. In other words, in order to give Black a fair trial with jurors who do not know this case and are from another jurisdiction.
Black is accused of the 2017 Thanksgiving Day shooting that took the life of local Texas DPS Trooper Damon Allen.
The new Venue does not have a specific set of requirements. However, it will need to be a large enough space to provide what is necessary to this case.
During a Change of Venue the Freestone County Court system is temporarily relocated to a place outside the county. The district clerk and the court coordinator maintain their duties, and Freestone County’s court bailiff will go to the new venue.
The hosting venue will provide some help with court personnel.
The Assistant District Attorney and staff would remain in Freestone County.
While there is not a schedule set as of yet, DA Evans says that he would assume that the trial would go Monday through Thursday, and court could be held in Freestone County on Friday.
The ‘Times’ will continue with updates as details become available.
Victoria Keng reporting
