Judge extends gag order in police officer’s slaying

JONESBORO — A circuit judge has continued a gag order that prevents lawyers from openly speaking about the forthcoming trial of a man accused in the fatal shooting of a Trumann police officer.

On Thursday, Circuit Judge Brent Davis of Jonesboro extended his order — set in August 2011 — through the trial of Jerry Lard, 38, of Trumann.

Lard is charged with capital murder in the April 12, 2011, shooting death of Trumann police officer Jonathan Schmidt, 30.

Police said Schmidt stopped a car on Pine Street after he checked the car’s license plate and found that there was no liability insurance on the vehicle.

As Schmidt questioned the car’s driver, Brian Elumbaugh of Trumann, a dispatcher radioed Schmidt and told him that Lard, who was sitting in the car’s back seat, was wanted on an outstanding warrant.

As Schmidt opened the rear door, Lard began shooting at Schmidt and Lt. Corey Overstreet, police said. Schmidt was struck in the neck and later died. Overstreet was not shot.

Officers returned fire, injuring Lard.

Lard is to be tried July 16 in Greene County, where Davis agreed to move the trial from Poinsett County.

In all, Davis ruled on 39 pretrial motions during Thursday’s hearing in Craighead County Circuit Court. The hearing was held in Jonesboro to accommodate Davis and attorneys.

Davis will allow attorneys to question three prospective jurors at a time, rather than six or more during jury selection in Lard’s trial.

He also asked attorneys to file any additional motions to allow ample time for consideration.

“I don’t want attorneys bringing in wheelbarrows of motions three days before the trial,” he said.