Change-of-venue costs alarm Scott County commissioners

BENTON, Mo. -- When it comes to high-profile trials, a change of venue is often needed. But it's also costly.

Scott County commissioners received a bill from Boone County during their regular meeting Thursday morning for jury expenses for the trial of Vincent Minner of Matthews, Mo., held earlier this year on a change of venue. The total costs were $11,010.66.

"And there will be more costs," said Jamie Burger, presiding commissioner. The county will also pay for Minner's housing and pick up the tab for the county investigator, along with costs incurred by Prosecuting Attorney Paul Boyd through the trial.

The trial resulted in Minner's sentence to life in prison for the Nov. 5, 2006, murder of Michael Terry, whom Minner shot at Terry's Sikeston, Mo., apartment.

"I don't think the public has any idea that the change-of-venue costs that much to the county," Burger said.

Circuit clerk Pam Glastetter said because it was a murder trial, the jury had to be sequestered and housed in a hotel for three nights.

"Sequestered juries cost a lot of money," she said. "And the originating county has to pay the cost."

One of the downsides of such trials, Glastetter and commissioners agreed, is that they are unplanned and thus can't be budgeted.

Later in the meeting, Burger called Boone County officials to request itemized receipts because of what he called "an alarming cost." He said commissioners would not approve a payment until those receipts are reviewed.