Sebring, Fla. – The legal proceedings in the tragic shooting of Deputy Sheriff William J. Gentry Jr. continue to unfold in Highlands County as attorneys, led by Judge Angela Cowden, work diligently to form a jury capable of deliberating the capital murder case that has the local community closely watching. Gentry, who bravely served in Highlands County, succumbed to gunshot wounds the day following the incident on May 6, 2018.
Joseph Ables, the accused, faces severe charges including the fatal shooting of Deputy Gentry and the felony cruelty towards an animal, specifically, a neighbor’s cat named “Mr. Brown.” The allegations arose after Ables was reported to have shot the cat, leading Gentry to approach Ables’ residence to investigate, which tragically led to the shooting.
Shortly after the incident, on May 29, a grand jury indicted Ables, prompting State Attorney Brian Haas to announce his intention to seek the death penalty. This decision underscores the gravity with which the state views the combined acts of violence towards a law enforcement officer and an animal.
Both prosecution and defense have been actively engaged, with Assistant State Attorneys John Kromholz and Bonde Johnson representing the prosecution and Bjorn Brunvand and Debra Toumey for the defense. The complexities of the case, including the potential imposition of the death penalty, require that jurors be meticulously selected, a process that sees them thoroughly vetted for any potential biases.
Judge Cowden aims to have the jury finalized by the end of September or early October, anticipating that the trial could extend through to the beginning of November. One of the significant challenges faced in selecting jurors, besides their eligibility and impartiality, is their availability for what is expected to be a prolonged trial lasting an entire month.
Many potential jurors have expressed the difficulty of committing to such a lengthy period, citing financial hardships, as most are employed full-time and live paycheck-to-paycheck. Judge Cowden has been particularly attentive to the economic strain serving on this jury could place on members of the community, stressing that jury duty should not cause significant personal financial burden and should not require jurors to utilize their vacation time.
The selection process itself is demanding and marked by strict scrutiny and procedural rigor, far outpacing the speed of the last capital murder jury selection encountered in the county. This intensity is necessary given the severity of the charge and the possibility of a death penalty.
As of now, only a few jurors have progressed to the next round of selection. Challenges such as prospective jurors not showing up have added to the complexities faced by the court. Excusable dismissals have ranged from pre-existing commitments like surgery and work to spontaneous dismissals of individuals who simply felt unfit for jury duty.
Throughout this process, potential jurors are constantly reminded of the principle that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This fundamental legal principle is crucial, especially in a case where the death penalty is being considered, intended only for the most grievous offenses.
As the community of Highlands County watches, the resilience of the justice system is tested through the rigors of fair jury selection, seeking to uphold the rights of the accused while ensuring a just evaluation of the tragic events of May 2018. The proceedings resume at 8:30 a.m., as the court convenes again to sift through dozens more candidates in pursuit of assembling a fair and impartial jury.