Paperwork error delays two jury trials

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The trial of a Lawrence man charged with murdering his father was delayed Monday because of a lack of available jurors.

Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday in the case against Thomas Kirch. He’s accused of setting fire to his parents’ home on Eastwick Road in April 2007. His father, David, 57, died from smoke inhalation during the fire. Firefighters found his body in an upstairs bedroom.

Investigators say his wife, Gwendolyn, told them her husband got out of the house safely, but then went back inside to find a cell phone to call 911 because the power was out and their home phone wasn’t working.

She was arrested in September 2011 on arson charges, but all charges against her were dismissed last week . The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said it is now concentrating its efforts on trying Thomas Kirch.

But, because of a paperwork error, there weren't enough jurors summoned to begin the trial on Monday in Judge Carol Orbison’s courtroom. Jury Pool Supervisor Alice Bruhn said paperwork filed to request jurors for the trial was never delivered to the jury pool, so summons for jurors were never sent out.

Summons were submitted for Tuesday, and the court will try to select jurors for the trial then, Bruhn said.

An additional trial scheduled in Judge Lisa Borges’ courtroom was also delayed Monday, also because of a paperwork error involving the summoning of jurors. That trial has been rescheduled for December 10, the jury pool office said.

Two other trials set for Monday were able to seat jurors successfully, after 42 jurors showed up as summoned, Bruhn said.

The delays come on the heels of an I-Team 8 investigation earlier this month showing more than 45,000 jurors didn't show up for jury service in Marion County over the last three years. That investigation also showed judges have rarely held no-show jurors in contempt of court because of it.