LONGVIEW, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video was published in 2020.
The first hearing in Gregg County for a man accused of killing a Panola County deputy in 2019 was held Monday after a change of venue was approved this summer.
Gregory Newson is charged with capital murder of a peace officer, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the shooting death of Deputy Chris Dickerson during a Dec. 31, 2019 traffic stop near Gary.
The hearing, which was brief, was used as a time for the state and defense to discuss the planning of experts who would evaluate Newson on issues that could include determining intellectual disability ahead of the trial.
Based on court discussions, another hearing could be held sometime in December to address the issue of experts further.
According to court documents, jury selection is set to begin in September of next year and the trial would start the following month.
Newson’s trial was relocated to Gregg County after Presiding Judge Christi Kennedy, senior judge for Tyler’s 114th District Court, found that an impartial and fair trial could not be held in Panola County. The order was signed in late August.
His defense did not contest the change after previously saying the large amount of media coverage could taint a local jury.