Stoker trial tentatively planned for July

As the six month anniversary of Chester Police officer and volunteer firefighter James Brockmeyer's death nears, a trial date has still not been officially set for the man accused of allegedly creating the circumstances that led to officer's death.

Jason Stoker appeared in Randolph County court on Monday for another case management hearing in front of Circuit Court Judge Richard A. Brown.

Three days prior to Stoker's previous appearance on March 10, Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker finally received the Illinois State Police's accident reconstruction report from the Oct. 28 accident and tendered that evidence to the defense.

On Monday, Stoker's defense attorney - public defender James Kelley - asked Brown for additional time to examine the information.

"That discovery has raised several compelling and interesting points for the defense," he said, later adding, "I think Mr. Walker and I are both looking at having this ready for trial in July."

Stoker - who has remained incarcerated at the Randolph County Jail on a $750,000 bond after being captured Nov. 1 in St. Louis by U.S. Marshals deputies following a four-day manhunt - appeared for his hearing with a knee brace on his right leg.

"He injured himself while he was in custody," Walker told local media after the hearing, while declining to state how Stoker became injured. "We, as taxpayers, bore the expense of proper medical care."

Walker noted Stoker had to be transported to a regional hospital in St. Louis for the injury and remained in custody while undergoing treatment.

Stoker's next appearance has been scheduled for Thursday, May 11, at 1 p.m. Walker has previously stated that the State is already ready for trial and is hoping to do so at next regularly-set jury setting in three months.

"I am very much wanting to try the case in July," he said.