Wortham praises Galveston Co.'s security measures as Granger capital murder trial begins

GALVESTON - The fact jurors in the Bartholomew Granger capital murder trial would have to walk through the crime scene at the Jefferson County Courthouse to get to the courtroom has prompted the prosecution and the defense to get a change of venue.

Galveston County was chosen to hear the trial of the 42-year-old Granger, who is accused of  killing 79-year-old Minnie Ray Sebolt on March 14, 2012, during a shooting spree outside of the courthouse in Beaumont.

Three other women, including Granger's daughter, were also hurt.

Jefferson County District Court Judge Bob Wortham praised the security of the Galveston County Justice Center, where the trial is now being held, as a new batch of jurors were being screened.

Wortham says he has "never seen more security in a better physical plant for security than Galveston County," calling the facility wonderful.

The premises has constant patrols from the Galveston County Sheriff's Department and metal detectors and inside scanners as well as a private tunnel and a private elevator for judges much to Wortham's approval.

According to the presiding judge, Galveston County will "make every thing go so much easier and so much faster" in comparison to Jefferson County.

Officials expect the trial to last a little more than a month with nearly three weeks devoted to jury selection.

The jury pool stood at 113 as of the evening of April 2.