By MONROE ROARK
Staff Writer

It's trial season in Fayette County.

A two-week session of criminal jury trials starts up Monday in Fayette Superior Court. This is a twice-a-year occurrence, except for special cases that are occasionally tried separately.

The action will be taking place in two courtrooms simultaneously. Judges Ben Miller and Chris Edwards will be presiding.

First up for assistant district attorney Tom Woodward is Bryan Keith McElroy, who is charged with criminal trespass, theft by taking, driving on a suspended license and simple battery, according to the trial calendar. Woodward said that McElroy is accused of stealing a minivan in 1997.

Woodward expects that case to take a day or a day and a half, after which he will prosecute Michael Allan Steadham, who is charged with theft by taking.

Assistant district attorney Jim Harden said that he really can't tell who his first case will be Monday. Aside from another day of pleas this Thursday, there will likely be motions and other factors that could push some cases further back.

“Then, when we get in there on Monday, some of them just don't show up,” he said. Those that fail to appear will have bench warrants served on them, he added.

A total of 168 cases are listed on the trial calendar. About 60 were pled before this week, Harden said.

There are no homicides to be tried during this session, according to Woodward.