GOLDSBORO, N.C. - A two year wait is almost over as the scales of justice are set to weigh in on Cesar Laurean just 10 days from now.
The murder of Maria Lauterbach and her unborn child brought with it national attention and with jury selection set to begin August 9th, preparations for the trial of the man accused of that murder are already well underway.
Keeping the courthouse secure and making sure the trial runs smoothly requires intensive planning and cooperation between two counties here in the east.
Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders says they’re ready and hope the trial will be business as usual.
“Anybody that comes through the courthouse and the atrium, they will be searched and scanned with the metal detectors,” said Winders,
Extra staff on hand is a must. Wayne County has signed a mutual aid agreement with Onslow County, giving Onslow County deputies the ability to exercise their jurisdiction if needed.
Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown says in the end, this is a murder case, plain and simple.
“We don’t want a rush justice, but we want to see justice,” said Brown.
Laurean will be housed in the Wayne County Jail, but his stay will be paid for by Onslow County taxpayers at a price of $50 per day.
“It would not be I think fair to the taxpayers in Wayne County to house and feed the needs of our prisoner,” Brown said.
Laurean’s safety is also a concern.
He will be held in a single cell, alone. Winders says that’s standard practice.
“We're not going to provide any special treatment for him, no more than we would do for any other inmate,” he said.
Their other concerns include, parking, the media, and onlookers.
Winders says he expects the curious to stop in, which is why the decision was made to move the trial to the largest courtroom they have.
The trial was originally scheduled to be held in Onslow County. Laurean’s lawyer successfully argued for a change of venue, saying it was unlikely he would get a fair trial so close to where the murder occurred.
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