Trials scheduled in beating death case

A judge scheduled separate trials for two people accused in the February beating death of 62-year-old Jerry Deshazer.

Jerod Buffalohead, 36, and Shanna Friday, 37, both pleaded not guilty Thursday to one count each of reckless second-degree murder.

Prosecutors said the two each struck Deshazer during a night of drinking at Deshazer’s southeastern Lawrence mobile home. Deshazer was found Feb. 2 inside the home, and he had bled to death.

Friday’s jury trial is scheduled to begin June 16, and Buffalohead’s jury trial will start June 25. Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said his office was still deciding whether to file a motion to try to consolidate the trials.

Douglas County District Judge Robert Fairchild on Thursday also agreed to reduce Friday’s bond from $500,000 to $100,000, if she agreed to use an electronic monitoring system and reach a bond supervision agreement.

Her attorney, Kay Huff, said she believed Friday’s family could help meet those stipulations. Huff said Friday is about 8 months pregnant, although a doctor said the child could come “any day.”

Buffalohead remains in jail on $500,000 bond.