This story by Christie Wisniewski was published by The Bennington Banner on Aug. 4.
[B]ENNINGTON — The trial for Timothy Butler, accused of murdering of an elderly Arlington woman last January, is on track to take place in April 2019.
A status conference was held late Friday morning to discuss the schedule of the case.
According to Butler’s attorney, Brian Marsicovetere, who attended the status conference by phone, a trial date this year seems “unrealistic.”
Marsicovetere said investigators are currently focused on DNA evidence and received “additional reports” from the state in June. There are “one or two” outstanding requests for lab material that investigators will follow up on. He says he hopes for deposition to be scheduled for October or November of this year.
“I do think the schedule is very reasonable and that we would be trial-ready on that schedule” said Bennington County State’s Attorney Erica Marthage.
Marthage also informed the judge that the victim’s daughter sat in the courtroom, and Friday was one of the first times she appeared at court regarding the case.
Judge William Cohen says when the trial happens, it will last multiple days. He also suggested holding a status conference once a month to stay updated on the case’s schedule.
Butler has been charged with first degree murder and armed burglary in the 2017 murder of 80-year-old Helen Jones of Arlington after he allegedly broke into her home and stabbed her to death, court documents say.
Butler remains incarcerated at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility and was not present at the status conference.
