Expert report could delay trial in Kathryn Scott stabbing death

Expert report could delay trial in Kathryn Scott stabbing death. The development was reported by Jacksonville Journal-Courier.

Expert report could delay trial in Kathryn: Latest Details

Whether a South Jacksonville man charged with nine felonies in the 2024 stabbing death of Kathryn D. Patton Scott goes to trial next month could depend on a recent report filed by the defense. Attorneys for Joshua E. Jones, 45, provided an expert's report to the Morgan County State's Attorney Office for review.

That report could affect the expected Sept. 22 start of a jury trial, though the trial's status has yet to be determined, Morgan County State's Attorney Gray Noll said. "We were provided a copy of a report authored by an expert they had retained," Noll said.

"We will review that report and decide whether it will necessitate the state engaging an expert." Noll said he hasn't had time to review the report to determine its content, so he isn't sure if it contains something that will delay the trial.

"If we decide to hire an expert, that may lead to the trial moving from the September court date," he said. Prosecutors still hope to move forward with the trial next month, Noll said. A jury pretrial hearing at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 will determine whether the case is ready to proceed.