Published: February 28, 2008 10:16 pm         

Sumrow testimony scheduled to begin on March 3

By Leslie Gibson

Herald-Banner Staff



Testimony in the first of two felony trials of the Rockwall County District Attorney is expected to begin Wednesday, March 5, in Dallas, with Senior Judge John Nelms, after jury selection begins on March 3.

Ray Sumrow and his defense, James Wheeler, and the prosecutors, Collin County assistant district attorneys Jim Skinner and John Schomburger, met in a brief hearing Feb. 14 in Rockwall.

Nelms granted amendments to three indictments, and is considering an amendment to a fourth, which the state presented on Feb. 14.

Nelms granted Wheeler’s motion for discovery of grand jury transcripts relating to several matters of money. Skinner agreed to present the defense with a letter which particularly earmarks evidence already submitted pertaining to an indictment which includes “several items of money greater than $50 and less than $500,” as Wheeler described.

As of a hearing on Jan. 25, the defense was granted its request that the felony indictment from Travis County be tried separately, and has been set for April 21.