WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The man charged in connection with a March house fire in Wausau will have a jury trial in Marathon County court this week.
A judge has given the green light for a one-day trial on Tuesday for James Farrar, who faces one felony count of arson for allegedly setting two mattresses on fire inside the home at 10th and Cedar, leaving the building a total loss.
During a hearing on Monday, both sides went over the admission of evidence including the 911 call from the incident and text messages. Records show the court is looking over those text messages, but the 911 call has been admitted.
Marathon County Judge LaMont Jacobson also noted that only 22 jurors were present. Those not present had indicated medical or COVID-19 concerns as reasons for their absence. There will be efforts to bring in more jurors, but neither side had a problem with the trial beginning on Tuesday.
Court records show the trial is scheduled to begin at 8:30 on Tuesday. No court action beyond then is currently scheduled.
Farrar’s charges carry a repeat modifier. He does have prior felony convictions on his record including misdemeanor counts of violating a restraining order, sexual contact with a child under the age of 16, and a felony charge of second-degree recklessly endangering safety.
