Change of venue for Julian fatal shooting trial

The case of Steven R. Julian, the Missouri Department of Corrections officer charged with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 23-year-old Zachary C. Snyder, will be tried in Callaway County, Mo.

In a brief appearance before Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis today, Cape Girardeau County prosecutors and defense attorney Stephen Wilson filed an agreement selecting the central Missouri county as the venue for the case.

Julian shot Snyder Feb. 14 while attempting to arrest him for a parole violation. A coroner's inquest held Feb. 26 determined that Julian's use of deadly force was not justified by the circumstances. A forensic pathologist testified that Snyder died of a single gunshot wound that hit him in the back. Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle said he was satisfied with the choice of a location for the case and that he expects a trial to take place within three months.

For more information, check out tomorrow's edition of the Southeast Missourian.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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