Robbinsville – Following months of speculation and searching, the next jury trial in Graham County will be held in the town limits after all.
Originally hampered by a small jury-deliberation room at the Graham County Courthouse, which would not allow for social-distancing protocol, Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway presented a new plan at the Sept. 15 Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting, which would allow the courthouse to host a trial anyway.
Under the plan, jury deliberations would be held across the street from the courthouse, with tents in place to keep jurors out of any potential inclement weather. Main Street would be closed in front of the courthouse as well.
The courtroom itself would be closed to spectators, as a unique configuration would see jurors sitting where the audience normally would. Those wishing to view the trial would be able to go to the Graham County Community Building and watch via closed-circuit television.
Additionally, Graham County Schools has granted permission for jury selection to take place inside the Robbinsville Elementary School gym. Around 140 jurors will be drawn, and more leniency will be given to being excused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A pair of judges will have to sign-off on the plan, before sending it to the chief justice for final approval.
The county had been negotiating with the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center about using the facility for the trial. The matter has been much discussed, as the existing lease between the county and the center expires Oct. 11 and a new one has yet to be signed.
“We felt like this would just be safer for our citizens, for our jurors, if we could keep them from having to travel all the way to Stecoah, even though Stecoah is not that far away,” Holloway said. “We appreciate Stecoah Valley being willing to give us their facility. It would have been a beautiful facility to use.
“But now, we can have our trial in an actual courtroom.”
Holloway added that it should be known by the end of the month if a jury trial can take place. If so, the first one in Graham County will begin Monday, Nov. 9.
Also at the meeting:
* County Manager Becky Garland presented the financial report, noting an unrestricted, cash fund balance of $8,323,349. Of note, back taxes collected since July 1, 2013 total $628,793.94. Garland also commended all county departments for keeping spending to a minimum during the pandemic.
* During the manager’s report, Garland reiterated that while the county received an additional $163,822.48 in CARES Act funding, what the funds can be used on seems to evolve daily. As of today, the Town of Robbinsville has requested $1,500 of the aid, while the Town of Lake Santeetlah has requested $4,378. The Town of Fontana Dam has not submitted a request.
* Garland also revealed that a pair of public hearings have been scheduled concerning the Corridor K project. The first will be held Tuesday in the community building, followed by one at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center on Tuesday, Oct. 6.