LAKE HAVASU – The criminal prosecution of the Lake Havasu City man charged in the shooting death of his brother was the focus of a Wednesday, April 2 status conference. Judge Billy Sipe and attorneys discussed pre-trial logistics in the case against Justin Wilcox, 52.
Wilcox is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his brother Phillip Wilcox, 50, last October 10, at the home they shared at 2172 Barranca Drive.
Lake Havasu City police have reported that the defendant mistook his brother for an intruder when he shot him in the chest at about 10:55 p.m. That alcohol might have played a role in the incident was an initial factor of investigative focus.
Deputy Mohave County attorney James Schoppmann and defense lawyer Jonathan Garner earned Court approval to use questionnaires to help select a trial jury. The process involves asking various questions of prospective jurors to screen through the field in advance of trial, rather than asking all the questions when the group would appear in person at the start of trial.
It was agreed the lawyers would work together to draft a proposed jury questionnaire to submit for review by Judge Billy Sipe. The parties would then work to complete the draft that would be sent to prospective jurors by mail.
Schoppmann noted that some questions about alcohol and impairment would be included because both of the brothers were intoxicated at the time of the shooting.
Department of Public Safety lab analysis revealed the defendant’s blood alcohol content (BAC) measured .265, well more than three times above the legal limit for driving. The Medical Examiner determined the victim’s BAC was .187, more than twice the limit for driving.
A final pre-trial management conference is scheduled June 16 with a four day trial commencing on July 15.
