Jury Seated in Joshua Farmer Double Murder Trial; Opening Statements Set for Wednesday at 9 A.M.

By Kenneth DesCombes

CONNERSVILLE — Jury selection concluded Tuesday afternoon in the double murder trial of Joshua Lee Farmer, with a panel of 12 Fayette County residents and two alternates seated to hear the case.

Following nearly two full days of examination before Special Judge Paul L. Freed, the court recessed for the remainder of Tuesday. Preliminary jury instructions and opening arguments are scheduled to begin Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. inside the Fayette County Courthouse.

Farmer, 30, is charged with two counts of Murder in connection with the 2022 shooting deaths of 53-year-old Thomas Combs near Dale Cemetery and 47-year-old Joshua Durham across from the Connersville City Cemetery. Farmer has asserted a formal insanity defense under a filed Notice of Defense of Mental Disease or Defect.

During final voir dire Tuesday, defense attorney Mark Jones probed candidates on their personal views of the insanity defense, asking prospective alternates whether they harbored strong feelings regarding the legal standard. Jones also questioned candidates about the unique role of an alternate juror, noting that while alternates may be present in the deliberation room, they cannot actively deliberate, speak, or vote unless substituted. Jones questioned whether that silent role could create difficulty or feelings of inferiority.

Judge Freed cautioned the newly seated panel to prepare for an extended proceeding, reiterating that the trial will occupy the remainder of the week and is expected to continue several days into next week.

Four medical and psychiatric professionals are slated to testify during the trial concerning Farmer’s psychological and competency evaluations^.

Proceedings will reconvene Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m., beginning with preliminary jury instructions from Judge Freed followed by opening statements from Special Prosecutors Jason Ray and A.J. Bryson and defense counsel Mark Jones.