Torey Adamcik requests new trial for the murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart

Torey Adamcik, one of the men convicted in the 2006 murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart, appeared in court with his new defense team – hoping to get a new trial or sentence.

Adamcik’s attorney, Dennis Benjamin, first examined Adamcik’s previous defense team’s strategy in Tuesday’s evidentiary hearing. One of his former attorneys, Aaron Thompson, was the first on the stand.

Thompson said in the beginning the plan was to have character witnesses to help distinguish Adamcik from Brian Draper, the other convicted killer in this case. However, after the state said it found child pornography and other evidence on the Adamciks’ family computer– Thompson said the defense felt it was too risky to have that put in front of a jury.

Torey Adamcik’s parents, Shannon Adamcik and Sean Adamcik, testified after Thompson and said they didn’t get the defense they thought they were going to get.

Sean Adamcik said he wanted the evidence excluded from the trial, but the defense never made a motion to.

“We want an opportunity for Torey to have a jury hear all the evidence about him,” said Benjamin.

In the afternoon session, Benjamin had eight of Torey Adamcik’s relatives and his 7th grade teacher speak on his character.

Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Ian Service objected to hearing these testimonies, saying it wasn’t the time or place. Judge Mitchell Brown overruled his objection. Brown allowed the testimonies to see if prejudice was present in Torey Adamcik’s previous trial.

“Would a jury sitting there, the same 12 jurors, if they would have heard the character witnesses, would that have swayed them?” said Service. “That’s kind of the basis of prejudice, would that make a difference.”

The hearing continues Wednesday. The trial’s original prosecutor, judge, and even Torey Adamcik are expected to testify.