Potential jurors in the case of the Topeka man accused of killing Beau Arndt have been returning their questionnaires to the district court. The trial of Theron Thomas Kent is set to begin June 23.
Kent is charged with a single felony count of involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanors — attempted unlawful methods of taking wildlife, criminal hunting and criminal discharge of a firearm. He is accused of firing a rifle into a field Dec. 15 where the 18-year-old Arndt was concealed in a blind near geese decoys. Arndt died at the scene in northwest Lyon County.
A motion hearing this morning in Lyon County District Court turned into a pretrial conference when no motions were filed by either the state or the defense. Instead, Chief Judge Merlin Wheeler explained procedures for jury selection and set up new deadlines to have exhibit lists and jury instructions ready for trial.
An initial pool of 80 jurors will be called on June 23 to find the 12 jurors and two alternates who will hear the case. If necessary, additional jurors will be called on June 24 until the panel is picked.
— Gwendolynne Larson