By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Jeremy Wand murder trial set to begin July 13
Trial in Lafayette County, though jury from outside the area
DSC 4943
Jeremy Wand (left) confers with attorney Frank Medina during the Feb. 20 hearing. Also pictured are a Lafayette County sheriff's deputy and assistant attorneys general Roy Korte and Richard DuFour.

DARLINGTON — Five days after Armin Wand III pleaded guilty to six felony charges, his brother, Jeremy, had a trial date set on seven felony charges in Lafayette County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

Jeremy Wand’s trial on four counts of first-degree intentional homicide, two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and one count of arson, will begin with jury selection in a yet-to-be-named county July 12, with the trial starting one day later in Darlington.

Jeremy Wand faces a maximum of four life sentences plus 160 years in prison if convicted. Wand pleaded not guilty to the charges Dec. 5.

Jeremy Wand’s trial date was set five days after Armin Wand pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree intentional homicide, and one count each of felony murder, attempted first-degree homicide and arson, one week before Armin Wand’s scheduled trial.

The charges against the Wands stem from the house fire that killed Armin Wand’s three sons — Allen, 7, Jeffrey, 5, and Joseph, 3 — and injured Armin’s wife, Sharon, and daughter, Jessica, 2, in Argyle Sept. 7.

As part of the plea agreement, Armin Wand agreed to testify against his brother if called as a witness in Jeremy Wand’s trial.

Green County Circuit Judge Thomas Vale granted a motion from Jeremy Wand’s attorney, Frank Medina, to bring in a jury from outside Lafayette County. The trial will be held in Darlington with a sequestered jury.

Vale also set dates for two trial-related hearings during Wednesday’s seven-minute-long hearing. A hearing on a defense motion to suppress as evidence statements Wand made to investigators will be held May 10 at 1:30 p.m. A hearing on other motions, including jury questionnaires, will be held June 12 at 1:30 p.m.

Wand also faced charges of entry into a construction site and resisting or obstructing an officer, both misdemeanors. Those charges were dismissed on a motion from the Lafayette County district attorney’s office Dec. 18.