Bryant murder trial starts today
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The defendant, Jeri Bryant, 48, will go on trial this morning at Van Buren County Courthouse for the murder of her ex-husband, Furlon Bryant, 58, whose body was found behind the couple?s longtime home near the bottom of Baker Mountain one week after he was reported missing last summer.
Forensic tests revealed Mr. Bryant died due to gunshot wounds and that his body was partially burned in a failed attempt to dispose of his body. He was found under a woodpile a few yards from the back of the home he had shared with his wife for several years. The couple had divorced weeks before his murder.
Prosecutors maintain Mrs. Bryant took a near fatal overdose of pills days after Mr. Bryant?s disappearance. Mrs. Bryant reportedly maintains men broke into her home and forced her to take the overdose. It was as she was recovering from the overdose prosecutors maintain Mrs. Bryant made statements which tended to link her to the murder. The defense maintains the statements were misunderstood and were not admissions of guilt.
Jury selection will begin this morning before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley with the trial to begin immediately after a jury is seated. The trial is expected to last several days, perhaps entering into next week, before it is given to the jury for a verdict. Bryant has been behind bars in lieu of bond since her arrest this past summer.