Several items interrupted the trial of Corey D. Jensen last week, some of which the jury did not hear. At one point a juror told the judge she had said before jury selection she did not know any of the law enforcement witnesses. Upon seeing the officer, however, she realized she did know the officer, but it was by her maiden name, not her married name.
Attorneys for both sides met with the judge, the defendant and the court reporter outside the courtroom to sort the matter out on the record. The juror finished the trial. At another point, the two sides met with the judge without the jury present to discuss what could be told to the jury about Jensen’s health situation. Jensen’s attorney said he had injuries from a previous crash that affected his balance and that he suffered from a degenerative hereditary disease as well. The judge ruled that the diagnosis could not be shared with the jury and gave guidance on permissible questions.
At a preliminary hearing in the case, Jensen maintained that he has Huntington’s Chorea, a hereditary disease that causes the degeneration of brain cells and progressive dementia. His attorney argued he might not have the mental capacity to assist in his defense. County Attorney Steven Haddon said evidence submitted to the court at that point did not confirm the diagnosis or where Jensen was in the disease progression. At that hearing, presiding Judge Loren Tucker said the burden to show the defendant can- not assist with his defense lies with the defense. He suggested the defendant find a treatment program where his mental capacity could be explored.
