In pandemic era, first Oconee jury trial starts

Plexi-glass shields are in place to protect from COVID-19, as a jury was chosen today for the first Oconee County General Sessions trial since COVID-19 was declared a world pandemic in March.  Although the jury is in place, testimony won’t start until 9:30 tomorrow morning. The setting is the fourth floor courtroom at the Oconee Courthouse in Walhalla. Solicitor David Wagner says not only will this be the first General Sessions trial since the start of 2020, it’ll be the first in the 10th Circuit, which is made up of Oconee and Anderson counties.  In this case, Gary Martin Wirtz has chosen to stand trial on the charge of trafficking in methamphetamine.  Wirtz is being represented by attorney Elizabeth Byford; Deputy Solicitor Lindsey Simmons, representing the state.  Judging the trial will be Greenville’s Leticia Verdin. She’s the daughter of Harry Hamilton of Seneca and the late Angela Hamilton.