Lawyers for former Springboro Police Lt. Jim Barton met Wednesday with court officials in Warren County while a new trial in the death of his wife approaches.
Barton, 61, has been living at his home in Springboro after posting $350,000 bond in April.
He served 11 years in prison on charges that he hired those who allegedly raped and murdered his wife, Vickie Barton, in 1995. The conviction was overturned in federal court.
On Wednesday, Barton and his wife Elaine waited outside the courtroom, but no hearing was held on the first of two days set aside for hearings on any motions filed. No motions had been filed.
His two-week trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 3, but there are two pre-trial dates pending, next Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m. and Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
Vickie Barton was a nurse at Sycamore Hospital and instructor at the Kettering School of Medical Arts. Investigators alleged she was murdered as part of a botched burglary commissioned by Barton.
He was indicted in 2004 following a cold-case investigation and convicted in 2005 of aggravated burglary and involuntary manslaughter. He has maintained his innocence and was supported at trial by Vickie Barton’s mother.
The conviction was overturned last May by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, based on a finding of prosecutorial misconduct and questions about the testimony of witness Gary Henson, who alleged one of the murderers told him of the crime before committing suicide.
