“The question before this court is only, did the district court abuse its discretion? And this court finds that it did not and the case will proceed to trial.”
Kent County 17th Circuit Court Judge Christina Elmore reached her decision Friday.
“We weren’t surprised, right, because we really, strongly believe that the prosecutor’s office has presented the facts with respect to the charges.
That’s Cle Jackson, President of the NAACP of Greater Grand Rapids reacting to Judge Elmore. Jackson tells us he has confidence in Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker handling the case.
“It is, I should say, critically important that community make sure that this stays on our radar in that we participate in this process and monitor the process. You know, at the end of the day, it will be up to the jurors to make the decision and we have to monitor that process as well, quite honestly. In terms of the juror selection process. I think that Chris knows that he has a tall order in his team. But I do think that, again, with other outside voices and eyes looking that will be very helpful.”
The trial is scheduled to begin March 13. Schurr's defense says it will appeal.
I’m Patrick Center.