GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Jury selection in a double murder case will take place in a venue other than the Brown County Courthouse due to social distancing concerns, a judge said Thursday.
Jacob Cayer is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend and her mother, Sabrina Teague and Heesun “Sunny” Teague, back on June 7, 2016. His trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 10, and is expected to last a week.
Although some modifications to the courtroom — such as installation of plexiglass around the witness stand — have already been made, it still wouldn’t prudent to hold jury selection in the courtroom due to social distancing concerns. However, the location where jury selection will be held has not been determined yet, Judge Tammy Jo Hock said.
A questionnaire is expected to be mailed to prospective jurors next week, the judge said.
Such questionnaires usually include questions from both the prosecuting and defense attorneys to help them narrow the down the field of prospective jurors before in-person selection begins.
Thursday’s hearing was held by video conference due to court rules limiting in-person appearances. Cayer himself did not participate in this hearing.
Cayer’s trial has been postponed five times previously due to mental competency issues, and once due to pandemic health concerns.
The repeated delays have been the source of frustration for the Teague family. At a hearing in September, Sarama Teague read a statement to the court describing how helpless the family feels.
Cayer faces six charges in all, including an attempted homicide count for allegedly stabbing Joel Kennedy during the incident at a Hobart home. He has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.
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