Saturday, September 20, 2003
The case is set for trial Oct. 14 in common pleas court.
YOUNGSTOWN -- A pool of prospective jurors was to be drawn today for the upcoming trial of Martin Koliser.
Koliser, 30, of Boardman, is accused of killing Youngstown policeman Michael T. Hartzell during the early hours of April 29. He also is accused of wounding Donell J. Rowe with a gunshot about two hours before Hartzell was shot.
A trial is set for Oct. 14 in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. A pretrial is scheduled for Friday before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum.
Edward Barone, jury commissioner, said names of 200 or more prospective jurors would be drawn today, though not all of them will be for Koliser's trial. Some will be used as jurors, if needed, in other common pleas courtrooms.
Barone was not sure how many of the prospective jurors will be assigned to Koliser's case. A panel of 12 jurors and four alternates is needed for the trial, in which Koliser could get the death penalty if he is convicted.
Prosecutors have said the jury selection process could take three to four weeks, with actual testimony expected to last about a week.
Koliser's charges include aggravated murder, attempted murder, escape and illegally possessing a firearm.