January 31 a jury trial took place in Livingston County Associate Circuit Court. The case involved an Illinois driver who was caught traveling 100 in a 65 on U.S. 36 and was running late attempting to get to a location in Kansas. Corporal Clint Gilliland of the Missouri State Highway Patrol had stopped and issued the driver a citation for the violation.  Corporal Gilliland was the witness for the prosecution.

Calvin G. Walker II, 34, Illinois requested a jury trial for the citation which resulted in about 50 prospective jurors meeting at the Livingston County Courthouse where 12 were selected to hear the case. After a few minutes of deliberation the jury convicted Mr. Walker of the speeding violation. Judge Leamer sentenced Mr. Walker to the standard of 2 days in jail and assessed the costs of the jury trial to Mr. Walker.

History shows traffic offenses at this high rate of speed typically get the same punishment along with a fine (which would have been less than the cost of the jury trial).

LCSO took Mr. Walker into custody at the request of the Court and he was taken to the Daviess Dekalb County Regional Jail to serve the sentence.

Fortunately in this case there was no accident. While no one likes to be late it is absolutely not worth creating the risks to every other person on the roadways here or anywhere.

Livingston County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren prosecuted the case while Associate Judge Michael Leamer judged the trial.

The jurors and prospective jurors did their civic duty and we greatly appreciate their time.  Also good job to Cpl. Gilliland and Prosecuting Attorney Adam Warren.

Steve Cox