Jury Selection began around 9 AM today, February 26, 2024, for Daylon Richardson, who is charged with hitting and killing Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nicholas Weist with a motor vehicle on April 29, 2022. Deputy Weist was deploying stop sticks on Highway 150, south of Alpha when a vehicle allegedly driven by Daylon Richardson lost control and struck Deputy Weist. Richardson is charged with two counts of First Degree Murder and is facing life in prison. One-hundred Henry County Residents were call for jury duty for this trial, fifty for the morning panel and fifty for the afternoon panel. Richardson was arraigned on an amendment by the State to change the language in the two murder counts to include that Deputy Weist was acting within the course of his official duties as a Peace Officer. Defense Attorney, Mr. Bruce Carmen, objects to the charges saying in the course of his official duties, because Deputy Weist had finished his shift. Judge Kauzlarich said that in the course of his official duties is necessary because the defendant should or should have known that Deputy Nicholas Weist was a peace officer. Opening statements begin at 9 AM on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Richardson pleaded guilty to felon is possession of a weapon, aggravated fleeing/bodily injury, and improper lane usage on on October 23, 2023, prior to the jury trial scheduled to begin that day.
