Riley County’s District Chief Judge addressed two motions Tuesday morning filed by the county attorney for a first degree murder case.
Defendant Anthony Nichols appeared before Judge Meryl Wilson alongside his attorney Jeff Wicks.
Nichols is charged with first degree murder in the death of John Burroughs, 68, of Manhattan in September of 2013. Nichols is accused of shooting Burroughs in his home. Another Manhattan man was sentenced to life in prison for his role in Burroughs’ death. He was convicted of stabbing and killing Burroughs later that night.
Judge Wilson addressed two motions filed by County Attorney Barry Wilkerson in court Tuesday.
The first motion was allowing two additional witnesses to testify during the jury trial on July 28th.
Judge Wilson granted one witness to testify but said he will decide later on the 28th if the defendant’s mother will testify.
The second motion addressed was allowing the state prosecutor to show photos from the crime scene.
Wicks said the photos of the body, autopsy and blood stains “were irrelevant because my client was not even there.”
Riley County attorney, Barry Wilkerson said the photos are relevant and show where the victim was killed. Wilkerson also said the autopsy pictures will aid the doctor who performed the autopsy during the trial.
Judge Wilson granted the state attorney permission to show most of the pictures during the jury trial.