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Trial date stands in Fairfield West shooting

June 02, 2008 @ 03:43 PM

CURTIS JOHNSON

Herald-Dispatch.com

HUNTINGTON — Quinton L. Peterson’s murder trial is still scheduled for June 10, despite a delay in receiving evidence from the state’s forensics lab.

It’s likely the case will be postponed next week.

Peterson, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, is charged in connection with the Nov. 11, 2007, shooting death of Phillip Shaun Sirmons. A passer-by found his body behind the former Simms Elementary School, in an alley between the 1600 blocks of Doulton and 11th avenues.

Investigators believe somebody robbed the victim. They believe Sirmons was involved in a game of dice before he died.

Both sides attended a hearing Monday in Cabell Circuit Court. They are waiting for the lab to complete testing on a shoe. They are comparing the shoe’s print to a footprint left at the scene, along with testing DNA from blood found on the shoe.

Defense attorney John Laishley said his client believes the DNA test will exonerate him.

Peterson is pushing for a speedy trial, but Laishley admits a delay is likely. He said keeping the date could push the lab to finish its work.