Man's trial in shooting set for mid-January

November 07, 1998|By RICHARD F. BELISLE

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A murder trial for a Chambersburg man accused in the September 1997 shooting death of Wendy Wise Schuchman was scheduled for mid-January Friday over the objections of the defendant who claims he is not getting a speedy trial.

Jury selection in the case against Kevin J. Barrett, 35, of 627 Siloam Road, will take place on Dec. 11, Judge Richard J. Walsh ruled. Trial dates were set for Jan. 13-15.

Barrett told Walsh that Public Defender Robert J. Trambley was not handling his case quickly enough. He said he tried to contact Trambley for months since he fired his private attorney and sought representation from the public defender's office.

"I want this trial behind me, Sir," Barrett told Walsh. "I'm opposed to this (continuance), but what can I do," he said.

Trambley said he needed the continuance to give himself more time to prepare his case. He said he has been involved in the Albert Reid murder trial in recent weeks. Reid was convicted two weeks ago of murdering two people and sentenced to death.

Assistant District Attorney T. R. Williams did not object to Trambley's request.

Barrett, who is in jail pending trial, is accused of shooting Schuchman, 32, of 136 Kennedy St., Chambersburg, with a shotgun. The incident occurred early in the morning of Sept. 7, 1997 in the rear parking lot of Siggy's Food and Spirits on Norland Avenue as Schuchman was leaving the restaurant, according to court records.

Barrett then turned the shotgun on himself inflicting serious, but non-fatal wounds.

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