480 potential jurors summoned for trial of former officer accused of murder

480 people have been summoned for the trial of a former Rocky Ford police officer accused of murder.

James Ashby is charged with second-degree murder in the on-duty death of Jack Jacquez.

A pre-trial readiness conference was held Wednesday.

Potential jurors will fill out a questionnaire that is seven pages long and contains 58 questions.

The murder has shaken the small town of Rocky Ford and a trial will soon play out in front of a jury.

“There’s a lot of crooked people out there and even some that can be bribed,” said Jack Jacquez Sr., the victim’s dad.

Jacquez is worried about getting justice for the murder of his son, who was killed last year. Investigators say Ashby shot Jacquez in the back on Oct. 12, 2014. Ashby told investigators he thought Jacquez was a burglar.

Attorney Karl Tameler isn’t presiding over the case, but said both sides will have a hard time finding jurors that haven’t formed an opinion.

“The offense arises in a very small town,” Tameler said. “They’ve read about it in the paper. They’ve talked about it in the coffee shops.”

Neither the prosecution or the defense has asked for the trial to be moved to another location.

“One would think that perhaps a change of venue would be beneficial. Now for the prosecution they may feel there’s sympathy for the victim. For the defense, they may feel that maybe people know the defendant, maybe people understand the role of police officers,” Tameler said.

As for Jacquez, he’s hoping for a diverse jury.

“Not all white. Not all Hispanic. Not all black, but I would like to have at least a combination,” Jacquez said.

It is expected to take three days to seat a jury. The trial begins January 11 in La Junta.