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Defendants Marcus Larod Jackson, 22, of Norman, and Juwan Thomas Square, 23, of Moore, are facing multiple charges, including racketeering in a jury trial in the Cleveland County Courthouse. Opening arguments began Thursday, and the trial has entered a second week.
Transcript File Photo
By Jamie Berry | Transcript Staff Writer Feb 8, 2021
Feb 8, 2021
Defendants Marcus Larod Jackson, 22, of Norman, and Juwan Thomas Square, 23, of Moore, are facing multiple charges, including racketeering in a jury trial in the Cleveland County Courthouse. Opening arguments began Thursday, and the trial has entered a second week. Transcript File Photo
A jury trial for two defendants facing multiple counts, including racketeering charges, continued into a second week Monday at the Cleveland County Courthouse, with District Judge Michael Tupper presiding.
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The Cleveland County Courthouse experienced a decrease in the total number of cases conducted in 2020 in a shift most likely related to COVID-19, according to District Judge Thad Balkman.
According to statistics gathered by Balkman, the total number of cases judges saw in 2020 was 23,116. Compared to 28,259 cases in 2019, thatâs a difference of 5,143, or 18.2%.
Small claims were down 39.4% from 6,699 to 4,061; protective orders were down 11.1% from 883 to 785; and guardianships were down 14.4% from 396 to 339.
Additionally, the statistics showed about 100 fewer felony filings and about 1,000 fewer misdemeanors filed in 2020 compared to 2019. However, domestic violence crimes increased from 500 to 1,000, or a 100% increase.
Balkman said due to administrative and Supreme Court orders and directives, the courthouse was allowed to stay open during the pandemic with precautions in place, including docketing changes to minimize the number of people in a courtroom at o
Jury trials in Cleveland County have once again been pushed back due to coronavirus safety measures.
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley ordered for courts across the state to suspend not only jury trials another month, but also from being open for any non-essential, in-person court proceedings until Jan. 14.
In Cleveland County, the District Attorney’s office was gearing up to start back to trial cases on Jan. 18, but with the most recent shutdown the process is being pushed until February.
“Like for everyone else, it is an inconvenience,” said Cleveland County District Attorney Mike Miller.
Beasley’s decision comes after a surge in COVID-19 cases across the state, doubling the number of counties categorized as “red” or “orange” by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
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