COVID-19 diagnosis delays Casey Owens murder trial in Lubbock

The trial of a 42-year-old man accused of gunning down a man he believed was dating his ex-girlfriend four years ago is expected to begin this week provided the defendant tests negative for COVID-19.

Casey Owens, who is charged with murder in the 364th District Court, tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 19.

Owens is accused of fatally shooting Landon Terry on Dec. 22, 2017, at his ex-girlfriend's residence in South Lubbock.

He faces between five years to life in prison.

Owens' attorney, Dan Hurley, said his client, who has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center for most of the duration of his case, had a fever, cough and sore throat before he was tested on Wednesday.

Hurley asked the court on Friday to reset the trial, raising concerns about the number of potential jurors not responding to the summons. However, Judge William Eichman denied the request, saying the trial, which was set for Monday, will begin as soon as Owens tests negative for the disease.

Hurley said Owens was tested on Saturday and the result came out on Sunday that he was still positive for the disease, which pushed back the trial to Wednesday.

Owens was tested Monday and if the test yields a negative result for the disease, jury selection will start on Wednesday, court officials said.

Court officials said 90 people were listed as potential jurors in the trial and 18 were dismissed for COVID-19-related reasons.

Police investigators believe Owens broke into his ex-girlfriend's home and attacked her before shooting Terry to death at the home's front door.

Owens surrendered to police the next day and was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: COVID-19 diagnosis delays Casey Owens murder trial in Lubbock