State prosecutors and defense attorneys for Richard Marvin McFarland of San Antonio, who is charged with the murder of his wife, will head to the UT School of Law this week for his trial.
The trial will be held at the law school's Kraft W. Eidman Courtroom starting Feb. 9 and will be open to students and the general public.
McFarland is accused of murdering his 43-year-old wife, Susan, in 2002.
"We have had trials and hearings held on campus before, but never a murder case," said Laura Castro, a law school spokeswoman.
McFarland's attorneys filed a motion for change of venue, claiming prolonged media coverage of the case would hinder the jury selection process in San Antonio, jeopardizing their client's ability to receive a fair trial. Jury selection for the trial will begin today at the Travis County Courthouse.
State prosecutor Michael Bernard said suspicion fell on McFarland soon after he filed a missing person report in November 2002.
Blood matching McFarland's was found in his wife's Ford Explorer, which was discovered in a grassy field near the couple's home, as well as in the McFarlands' bathroom. His wife's burned, dismembered remains and other substantial evidence were discovered seven weeks later in a field in south San Antonio.
A grand jury also indicted McFarland for tampering with a witness, tampering with evidence and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, Bernard said.
Sarah Buel, a clinical professor at the UT law school and state prosecutor for seven years, said the University tries to get at least two fairly important trials on campus each year because they benefit students who can witness the justice system in action.
The last time a significant case was called to trial at the University's courthouse was in October 2002. Caitlin Porter, an 8-year-old ventilator-dependent quadriplegic, and her mother sued Ford Motor Company after they were involved in an accident with a Ford F-150 truck after the driver of the F-150 ran a stop sign and collided with their Ford Windstar van. The jury did not reach a decision in the case, and both parties settled on an undisclosed amount out of court.
The Eidman Courtroom is located in the University's John B. Connally Center for the Administration of Justice. The courtroom allows University students to participate in mock trials and regular court activities in a real courtroom setting. It is also available to Texas state and federal courts for hearings, trials and appeals.
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