By Rhys Baker

The jury trial of former Sheriff’s Deputy Harold “Hank” Stellner started this morning at the Clay County Courthouse. Judge Merlin Wheeler oversaw six Clay County Jurors and one alternate chosen this morning out of a pool of 45. The jury consists of six women and one man.

Following the selection of the jury, Merlin delivered instructors to jurors stating they are not to communicate with anyone, even each other, regarding the trial.

Prosecutor Silversmith of the Kansas Attorney General’s office and Stellner’s defense attorney, Chris Joseph, have agreed to limit evidence to five exhibits and three witnesses: Clay County Sheriff Alan Benniga, alleged victim Lisa Sullivan, and KBI Special Agent Crystal Hornseth.

Sheriff Benniga was the first witness called to the stand, after answering questions regarding his qualifications and Stellner’s employment dates, Benniga viewed Exhibit 1 with the jury, which was a video-only recording of the alleged incident. No sound was available. Benniga identified persons in the video as it was shown to jurors. He also testified that he originally watched the video after being told Sullivan had destroyed County property following the arrest.

Second Witness Lisa Sullivan testified that she was arrested the day of the alleged incident for Driving Under the Influence, she also testified her memory of the incident was blurry but she did not remember being physically combative, only verbally.

Following Sullivan’s testimony, Judge Wheeler called for a lunch break, the jury trial will reconvene at 1 pm.

 Stellner’s current charges include misdemeanor mistreatment of a confined person and misdemeanor battery.