Meeker, Rangely, Stories

Jury selection begins in Snider trial

Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case

The Rio Blanco County courthouse in Meeker will host its first murder trial in more than 10 years. Jury selection began Tuesday for Jerry Snider Jr., who is accused of killing his father, Jerry Snider Sr. July 2, 2009. Snider has been held in the Rio Blanco County Jail since turning himself in July 3, 2009. The trial is expected to last until Jan. 27.
RBC I Nearly 300 Rio Blanco County residents were summoned to the county courthouse in Meeker Tuesday as jury selection began in the murder trial of Jerry Snider Jr. Snider faces first degree murder charges and aggravated robbery.
Snider is accused of killing of his father, Jerry Snider Sr., with a hatchet, then stealing his father’s truck and wallet before turning himself in one day later. Jerry Snider Jr. has plead not guilty by reason of insanity and remains in custody at the Rio Blanco County Jail.
Rio Blanco County’s clerk of courts and jury commissioner Susan Mills said jurors will report in “waves,” in order to accommodate the number of jurors in the courtroom. Prospective jurors will complete a questionnaire and be directed to a website to see if they have been selected. Twelve jurors will be selected along with four alternates and Mills expects the process to last two to three days. The trial is expected to last until Jan. 27.
Ninth Judicial District Attorney Martin Beeson, along with Jeff Cheney and Matt Barrett, will prosecute the case against Snider and public defender Tina Fang will serve as counsel for the defense. Judge Gail Nichols will preside over the case.
Judge Nichols denied a motion to have the trial moved to Garfield County because of pre-trial publicity.
Jerry Snider Sr.’s body was found in the living room of his Rangely home July 3, 2009. The cause of death was blunt trauma injury. It is believed he was killed July 2. A bloodied hatchet was found in the home during a search of the property.
Jerry Snider Jr. abandoned his father’s truck in Idaho Springs and turned himself in to the Clear Creek County sheriff’s office in Georgetown July 3.
Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case. Snider could face life in prison if convicted.
According to Mills, the last murder tried in Rio Blanco County was in 1999, when William Charles McDowell’s trial was moved from Garfield County to Meeker.
McDowell was tried and convicted of first degree murder in the death of his wife and sentenced to life in prison.

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  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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6 days ago
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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