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Kids might testify in dad's Mankato homicide trial

Photo: Comstock, Photos.com

Sep 2, 2011 at 10:40 am

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) - A Blue Earth County judge is considering whether to allow three children to testify at their father's homicide trial.

The trial involves 35-year-old Joel Marvin Munt of Burnsville. He's accused of shooting his ex-wife in a Mankato park last year while the children watched. They were all under age 10 at the time.

District Court Judge Kurt Johnson questioned the children Thursday in a closed hearing to determine whether they'd be able to testify.

The Free Press of Mankato says the trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 12, but it may get pushed back. Defense attorney Scott Cutcher says if during the jury-selection process it becomes apparent that too many people have already made up their minds, he'll ask the judge to move the trial out of the county.