What was supposed to be the final pre-trial hearing for Jayden Ethington was held last Friday morning at the Randolph County Courthouse.
Judge Jeremy Walker noted that the case was slated for an August jury trial, however he was told that Ethington was opting to waive his right to a jury.
Defense attorney Justin Kuehn confirmed that Ethington, 22, of Sparta, was waiving that right and they would like to set a bench trial in November instead.
Walker explained to Ethington his rights, as well as going with a jury versus a bench trial, confirming that was his decision to waive the right to a jury trial. Following Ethington’s confirmation that it was his wish to do so, Walker set a bench trial for the case on Friday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.
For more on this case, please see this week’s print edition.