The trial was confirmed for February 8, jury selection to last two weeks, since February 12 and 15 are court, People's witnesses will be subpoenaed for February 16. Trial Readiness is on February 1, 2016 at 4 p.m. in Courtroom 1.
Judge John Feeney met privately with Deputy District Attorney Andrew Isaac and Bullock's attorney, Mr. Kaleb Cockrum in chambers before court was open and they had "preliminary discussions regarding questions for potential jurors."
DDA Isaac told Judge Feeney, "I have a truncated witness list, mostly law enforcement and local."
Mr. Cockrum said that the County's Mental Health Department accidentally sent records subpoenaed by the People to him. They were sealed. He handed them to Judge Feeney, who will do an in camera review in the next couple of days to determine if they are relevant to this trial and if they are, both attorneys will get copies.
Times-Standard and myself were the only media present. Others in the courtroom included attorneys, DA Investigator and Victim Witness were in court. Bullock stood silently for the brief court hearing.
Gary Lee Bullock is charged in Count 1 with the murder of Fr. Eric Freed on or about December 31, 2013. Bullock is charged in Count 2 with unlawful driving and taking of a vehicle and Count 3 attempted arson of an inhabited structure or property. There are two special allegations: carjacking and that the murder was intentional with infliction of torture.
These are the charges in the first amended information filed on March 10, 2015.
In the original information filed on January 31, 2014, instead of the carjacking special allegation, there was a charge of first degree residential burglary.
Bullock is accused of breaking into the St. Bernard Catholic Church rectory on New Year's Day and torturing Fr. Freed before beating him to death with a wooden stake and a metal rod. Bullock also allegedly attempted to burn Fr. Freed's body before leaving a lit cigar on the stove with the gas left on and departing the scene in Freed's vehicle. The cigar went out. Freed's body was found later on New Year's Day by Deacon Frank Weber after he did not show up for 9 a.m. Mass.
Details from the affadavit used for Bullock's arrest warrant that were also mentioned during testimony in the preliminary hearing.
Church surveillance video captured images of Bullock trying to open doors to the rectory, breaking a side window and crawling in.
Bullock was carrying the same wooden stake and rusty white-painted metal pipe found inside that police believe were used to beat Freed, the document states.
“There was a large amount of blood about his upper body, his legs were badly beaten and his nose appeared to be misshapen,” the affidavit said. “The suspect rolled the father into blankets, poured several bottles of 80 proof alcohol over the father and attempted to light the bedding on fire. A fire did light, but then extinguished itself.”
“The suspect also lit a cigar, placed it on the gas stove, and opened up the burners so natural gas flooded the building,” the affidavit added. “The cigar extinguished itself foiling the attempt to destroy the building by blast and fire.”
Jan 13, 2015
Gary Lee Bullock trial confirmation continued until tomorrow
Trial confirmation for the jury trial for Gary Lee Bullock was scheduled today for 4 p.m. Trial Judge is Judge John Feeney. Prosecutors are Deputy District Attorneys Andrew Isaac and Stacey Eads. Bullock is represented by Conflict Counsel's Mr. Kaleb Cockrum.
Due to Mr. Cockrum being tied up in another court, today's hearing is rescheduled for the same time tomorrow.
Bullock's mother and step father were outside court. They were also here at the last hearing.
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