Medical events stall trials

CLOVIS — The wheels of justice can turn slowly.

Two jury trials were continued last week due to medical events; a two-day trial scheduled to start Thursday was canceled after defendant Shannon Jackson’s counsel “was taken to the Emergency Room and is still there at the time of this filing,” according to a motion filed the day before.

Jackson, 40, of Clovis, faces a first-degree felony trafficking controlled substances charge from 2014, among others. Judge Fred Van Soelen granted the continuance but new trial dates were not yet scheduled, according to court records.

Meanwhile a daylong jury trial on felony battery charges was continued from Wednesday after defense and prosecuting attorneys filed a stipulated motion noting “unforeseen medical circumstances for the victim that may impact her statement.”

David Barreras, 36, is now scheduled for trial in March.