Published: June 11, 2009 10:18 pm         

Court to call 600 jurors for Walker trial

Jury selection in death penalty case expected to take weeks

TERRE HAUTE — A man accused of killing his 4-year-old son and trying to kill his other son in June 2006 appeared in court Thursday for a pre-trial conference.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in their case against Katron Walker, 35, who is accused of stabbing his sons, Collin, who died, and Monte, then 2, who survives.

In court, Walker conferred with defense attorneys Jessie Cook and Joe Etling before Vigo Superior Court 3 Judge David Bolk reported that he is close to finalizing the juror questionnaire. The court will call 600 prospective jurors to fill out the extended jury questionnaire forms. Jury selection is to commence Aug. 31 and the trial is set to begin Sept. 14.

Bolk said he also has been working on the proposed preliminary instructions, and he will present those to the prosecution and defense teams for consideration at the next pre-trial hearing, set for July 6.

Neither Prosecutor Terry Modesitt nor the defense team raised other issues to the court at Thursday’s hearing.

Walker is facing charges of murder and attempted murder. He allegedly attacked the boys near Blackhawk as police responded to an Amber Alert that was issued several hours after the children were reportedly taken by force from their grandfather.

Court records indicate Walker intends to use a defense of mental illness or defect.



Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.