Guthrie case set for trial in March

Barring any further delays, Lawrence Guthrie will go to trial in March on charges he physically assaulted his estranged wife, got into a shootout with police and then shot himself in a failed suicide attempt.

Guthrie, a Gulf War veteran and former Marine, faces charges of domestic assault, armed criminal action and assault on a law enforcement officer in connection with the June 2012 confrontation.

On Monday, Guthrie's attorney, Bryan Greaser, told Judge Benjamin Lewis he was ready to have the case set for trial, but he and his client had discussed the possibility of filing a motion for change of venue.

"Due to the high publicity of this case, it would be extremely difficult to have a fair trial" in Cape Girardeau County, Greaser said.

Lewis set the case for March 11 and 12, with a pretrial conference to be held Feb. 14, which he said is a motions docket day.

The trial setting comes after several delays as attorneys awaited the results of forensic mental health evaluations by state and then private psychiatrists.

Guthrie was undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the shooting, his wife testified last year.

Greaser has said Guthrie does not remember the events of June 13, 2012, and "didn't appreciate the consequences" of his actions.

The results of psychiatric evaluations are sealed, but the fact that the case is going forward implies Guthrie was found competent to stand trial.

During his appearance in court Monday, Guthrie seemed more confident and animated than he has on earlier occasions.

The left side of Guthrie's face was still swollen and scarred, presumably as a result of his self-inflicted gunshot wound, and he dabbed at the drooping left corner of his mouth with a tissue, but he appeared aware of his surroundings as he talked with another prisoner during a recess.

His appearance Monday contrasted sharply with the confused, almost childlike demeanor he displayed at an April status hearing.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

100 Court St., Jackson, Mo.