UNION — The judge presiding over the upcoming trial of a Warren County man charged with killing one Hermann policeman and seriously wounding another says it’s important for the members of the public wishing to attend the proceedings observe the rules of decorum in place for the duration of the trial.

20th Circuit Court Presiding Judge Craig E. Hellmann has included among his many orders and rulings on pre-trial motions a Decorum Order. Here, in its complete form, is the judge’s Decorum Order:

“The Court enters this Decorum Order pursuant to its inherent authority to control the proceedings and maintain order and decorum throughout the trial.

The order establishes standards of conduct for those attending the jury trial in this case, which is scheduled to begin Jan. 20, 2026. The objectives of the order are to:

• Secure the Defendant’s right to a fair and impartial jury trial;

• Protect against unfair prejudice to the parties;

• Permit the public access to the trial;

•Allow media coverage of the trial; and,

• Ensure the orderly and efficient management of the trial.

To achieve these objectives, the Court orders the following:

This order (and any amendments or attachments) shall govern the conduct of all court personnel, attorneys, news reporters, family and/or friends of the defendant or the alleged victims, and members of the public attending the trial.

The term “courtroom” as used in this Order includes courtroom 302 in the Franklin County Judicial Center and the courtroom in the Historic Courthouse.

The terms “Spectator” or “Spectators,” as used in this Order, shall include all persons attending the proceedings, including members of the media, but excluding court personnel, counsel and their staff, and security personnel.

Courtroom 302, although a larger courtroom, has limited seating. The number of occupants shall not exceed courtroom capacity of 155:

The first row behind the prosecution table shall remain unoccupied, except for security personnel;

Seating in rows two, three, four, and five behind the prosecution table shall be reserved for family members appearing in support of the alleged victims, members of the prosecution team, and Spectators, if seating is available;

The first row behind the defense table shall remain unoccupied, except for security personnel.

Seating in rows two and three behind the defense table shall be reserved for family members appearing in support of Defendant, members of the defense team, and Spectators, if seating is available;

Seating in row four behind the defense table shall be reserved for members of the media, and Spectators, if seating is available;

The remaining rows shall be open to general seating for Spectators; and,

In the Historic Courtroom, the number of occupants shall not exceed courtroom capacity of 93.

All individuals entering the courtroom shall be subject to search.

Entering and exiting the courtroom shall occur without disruption or distraction.

While Court is in session, anyone who leaves the courtroom for any reason shall be barred from returning until the next recess. This does not apply to court personnel, counsel or staff, or security personnel.

No electronic devices or cell phones are permitted in the courtroom. This does not apply to court personnel, counsel or staff, or the security personnel.

No private cameras are allowed in the courtroom.

There will be no drinks, food, or gum allowed in the courtroom. This does not apply to court personnel, counsel and staff, the jurors, witnesses, and security personnel.

All Spectators shall be quiet and orderly.

No Spectator shall make audible comments of any kind during the trial or related proceedings.

No Spectator shall engage in provocative, disruptive, distracting, or uncivil behavior of any kind.

No Spectator shall wear or display pins, buttons, signs, clothing, apparel, or photographs expressing support for or against Defendant or the alleged victims.

No Spectator shall be permitted to pass the bar or enter the well of the courtroom without judicial authorization.

If, for any reason, a Spectator is escorted from the courtroom, they shall be barred from the courtroom for the entirety of the proceedings.

All law enforcement Spectators shall refrain from wearing their service uniform, clothing, apparel, or badge. This does not apply to law enforcement who are witnesses providing their testimony or security personnel.

Jurors shall not be approached, questioned, or otherwise influenced by any party, attorney, or member of the public.

Copies of this Order shall be posted outside the courtroom and be made available through the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Website.

All Spectators shall read and comply with the terms of this Order.

As with all of this Court’s Orders, anyone who violates the terms of this Order shall be subject to contempt sanctions.”

Although being held in Franklin County, this is a Gasconade County case, transferred to Franklin on a change of venue within the 20th Circuit. However, the jury that will hear this case (12 jurors and 6 alternates) will be selected from among 1,000 citizens of Greene County in a voir dire process at the courthouse in Springfield. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Jan 5 and with the process involving potential jurors being questioned in batches, the process could take several days Indeed, the court’s tentative plans call for the jurors and alternates to be transported to Franklin County on Jan. 19.

Initial estimates of the time needed for the proceedings called for a jury selection of a week or possibly more; one week for the presentation of evidence and testimony; and, if there is a conviction, up two weeks for additional testimony in the penalty phase. If that amount of time is needed, it would mean this trial would take about a month from the beginning of jury selection to the conclusion of the penalty phase.

The jurors and alternates will be sequestered throughout the duration of the proceedings.