A new trial date has been set for Kwan Kearney after his brother, a witness in his case, was killed.
Kearney was expected to stand trial on Oct. 31. He is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Joseph Alonzo Sharps Jr.
But just this week Kearney’s brother, Eric Kearney, was killed in a shooting in Truxton Circle. Kearney’s defense attorney said in a motion to the court that Eric Kearney was not only a “prime witness” in his brother’s defense, but that the murder has “devastated” the Kearney family.
“[Kwan Kearney] is in an emotional state that places him in a posture where, it is my view, that he would not be mentally prepared for trial, presently,” wrote defense attorney Gene Johnson. He added that the family family “is devastated emotionally and physically by this tragic event.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not oppose the defense’s motion to postpone the trial, which is now scheduled for Nov. 14.
