Granger
Following a brief hearing Tuesday morning, a Beaumont judge transferred to Galveston County all nine cases against Bartholomew Granger, who is accused of fatally shooting a woman and wounding three others at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, will wait 10 days before making the ruling official, allowing both sides time to submit objections.
During the hearing, neither the prosecution nor Granger's attorney, Sonny Cribbs, offered any objections to the change of venue.
When asked by the judge what venue he preferred, Granger, 41, answered "Galveston."
Judge Wortham will continue to preside over the case.
The change of venue was sought because jurors are not allowed to view a crime scene and the shooting took place at the entrance of the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Charges against Granger include one count of murder, three counts of attempted capital murder, four counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
On March 14 Granger, 41, was on trial in Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens' courtroom for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
During a court recess, Granger allegedly shot his daughter, Samantha Jackson, and her mother, Claudia Jackson, who were witnesses in his sexual assault trial, as they left the courthouse. Granger also ran over Samantha Jackson as he fled the scene.
Two bystanders were shot as well, and one of them, 78-year-old Minnie Sebolt, died just outside the courthouse doors.
Wortham recently ordered Granger to undergo a psychological evaluation, which will be conducted by Dr. Edward Gripon sometime this week, Wortham said.