Stoker trial pushed back to October

Appearing in Randolph County court on Wednesday for the first time since he was federally indicted on a methamphetamine conspiracy charge, Jason M. Stoker watched as his attorney, James Kelley, and State's Attorney Jeremy Walker argued for a continuance in his case in front of Judge Richard A. Brown.
Stoker had been scheduled for a July 10 trial on two counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and one count each of reckless homicide and first-degree murder in alleged connection to the October 28, 2016 accident that resulted in fatal injuries to Chester Police officer and volunteer firefighter James Brockmeyer.
In arguing for the continuance, which was a joint motion by both the prosecution and defense, both Kelley and Walker stated that the federal case "changes the circumstances" of the state case and agreed a delay was necessary.
"I think as a matter of fairness, Mr. Stoker needs to know what he's facing on both fronts," Walker said in an interview with media after the hearing.
The parties are due back in court on Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. for another case management hearing. An October trial is tentatively planned.
Read more details about Wednesday's hearing in the July 5 print and online editions of the Herald Tribune.