As 2005 begins, Lawrence County officials are bracing for what may be an unusually expensive and busy year in terms of

justice: two murder trials are slated for early this year. Other pending cases may be scheduled soon.

On Jan. 24, Ironton resident Carlos Jenkins is scheduled to stand trial for the death of John Turvey, who was found murdered in his Lane Ridge residence Sept. 3.

Jenkins’ trial was originally scheduled for Nov. 29, but was continued when defense attorney David Reid Dillon presented evidence that he said showed someone else committed the murder.

Roger Marshall, of Ironton, is expected to stand trial Feb. 28 on arson and murder charges in connection with the deaths of James Reed, John Meyer and Lolaetta Corbin Hicks.

Those three people died when a fire ripped through the second floor of the Lyle Motel. Marshall is accused of setting the fire.

Others arrested in 2004, and awaiting resolution of their cases: Huntington, W.Va., resident Jason Heath Burks, arrested Oct. 6 in connection with the stabbing death of Jon Wilson of Chesapeake;

and Proctorville resident David E. Jones, who was arrested Sept. 25 and charged with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Roger Smith, also of Proctorville.

Lawrence County Sheriff Tim Sexton said the three violent deaths that have taken place within his jurisdiction have been time consuming to investigate, placing additional burdens on an already overworked department.

But Sexton said his staff is dedicated to doing what they have sworn to do: uphold the law.

&uot;A lot of people at the sheriff’s office care about their jobs and care about helping people,&uot; Sexton said. &uot;We’re just going

to continue to work hard and protect and serve the public. We're dedicated to investigating and we’re responsible for bringing people to justice.&uot;

The cost of justice could be high since many defendants are indigent, the taxpayers of Lawrence County are likely to be picking up the tab for both the prosecution and the defense.

Lawrence County Commissioner George Patterson said it is anyone's guess right now what impact these large trials will have on the county's budget.

&uot;Murder trials are going to take some time, and we really don't know what it’s going to cost,&uot; Patterson said. &uot;But we know they’re coming.&uot;

One trial slated for late this month may well set a precedence in Lawrence County: local radio personality James Steven "Rhino" Reinhardt will stand trial Jan 27 on

three counts of fourth-degree menacing by stalking and one count of second-degree burglary.

This is the first known stalking case of its kind in the county’s history.

Reinhardt was arrested

outside an eastern end residence. He is accused of stalking a

young Rome Township woman, breaking into her residence and leaving obscene material in the woman’s automobile.