New trial to start next week in slaying

By Jonathon Shacat
Wick News Service
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 4:56 PM MDT


BISBEE — A man charged with fatally stabbing his girlfriend with a knife in 2001 near Willcox will go on trial starting next week in Cochise County Superior Court.


Jon Edward Erickson, 38, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Sherri Young, as well as possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Young was stabbed numerous times in her face, neck and chest in February 2001 at a residence in Richland Ranchettes.

During a hearing Tuesday in Division 3 court, Judge Wallace Hoggatt decided Erickson will be tried on the murder count from Monday until Oct. 8. Young’s trial on the drug charges will be Feb. 16 and 17.

Erickson was convicted in 2002 of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was convicted of the drug charges and was sentenced to three years of probation.

However, in January of this year, the convictions and sentence were vacated because a county court reporter failed to complete a full transcript of the trial. A defense attorney needed the transcript for an appeal.

Deputy County Attorney Gregory Johnson is prosecuting this case with assistance from Chief Deputy County Attorney Doyle Johnstun. Defense attorneys David Thorn and Gilda Terrazas are representing Erickson.

Thorn said Erickson was acting in self-defense when he stabbed Young. Hoggatt said he will allow the prosecution to present evidence that methamphetamine was found in the systems of both the defendant and the victim.

 

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

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