Ohlson murder trial delayed one year

The murder trial of Erik Ohlson has been re-scheduled to 2019.

Ohlson is accused in the July 2016 shooting death of Jennifer Nalley, 39, and her unborn child near Driggs.

In a hearing Friday, Judge Bruce Pickett addressed defense concerns about the extent of evidence reviewed in Ohlson’s original preliminary hearing. As a result, Teton County Prosecutor Billie Siddoway said the judge re-set the preliminary hearing for May 4 before Magistrate Judge Keith Walker. That hearing will set limits on which evidence Judge Walker may consider.

Siddoway said she did not expect the magistrate court hearing to affect the new trial date.

Defense attorneys also requested adequate additional time to prepare for trial. In response, Ohlson’s murder trial was re-scheduled for June 3, 2019.

It was previously determined that the trial would be held in Blackfoot after defense lawyers argued Ohlson could not find an unbiased jury in Teton County. Siddoway stated last year she intended to seek the death penalty in the case.

Ohlson is currently charged with two counts of felony first degree murder and a variety of lesser crimes connected to them, including alcohol violations, burglary and use of a deadly weapon in commission of a felony.

You can see original stories on the case here.