Less than a month on the job, DDA Trent Timm does his first jury trial; charges included concealed dirk/dagger

This morning after Judge John Feeney read the complaint and gave the jury preliminary  instructions, DDA Trent Timm and Conflict Counsel's Kaleb Cockrum presented their opening arguments in the jury trial for James Richard Beven.

The charges are all misdemeanors. Count 1 is manufacturing a deadly weapon cane sword, Count 2 is carrying a concealed dirk dagger, Count 3 is possession of a controlled substance (meth), Count 4 is showing false ID to a peace officer.

If found guilty, Beven's probation will be revoked because that case is dependent on the outcome of this jury trial.

According to the court computers, Beven's program in a batterer's program has been terminated which was a condition of his probation from a previous case, in which he was found guilty of assault/ corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant.

Depending on motions in limine that were heard before jury selection, the jury may not hear about Beven's prior conviction of a felony:DUI. Beven also has two previous Civil Protection cases, one in which disposition is listed as undefined, in the other administrative disposition. He has another criminal case in which he was found guilty of a drug offense.

Mr.Kaleb Cockrum told me before court started today said if Bevens testifies, his priors could come in.

EPD Officer Ryan McElroy finished his direct testimony. After break, Mr. Cockrum will cross examine the Officer.