State wants one trial, two juries

Posted on September 30, 2016

Circuit Judge David Fina is considering a motion to consolidate the murder trials for Rodney Whiddon and his son, Manden, who are both charged in the June 2015 shooting death of longtime educator Shelly Strickland.

During arguments presented Thursday morning, Assistant State Attorney John Weed said trying the men together would be “judicially efficient and would accommodate witnesses” likely to be called to testify against both defendants.

PHOTO: Jacksonville attorney David Taylor, right, argues against a motion to consolidate murder trials for Rodney Whiddon and his son, Manden, left. James Janousek II, Rodney’s court-appointed attorney, said he did not oppose combining the trials.

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