Opening statements will be heard Wednesday morning in the trial of 30 year old Jordan Evans in Wabash County Circuit Court. Evans is the Mt. Carmel man who was arrested last November for aggravated intimidation and armed violence following an incident at the 9th and Oak Street car wash. Police were called to that location when an off-duty Illinois State Trooper, who was attempting to clean their squad vehicle, requested assistance due to Evans approaching them while armed with a hatchet. Evans allegedly threatened the trooper and made concerning comments about their family before leaving the scene in his vehicle. Officers from the Mt. Carmel Police Department and a deputy from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office located Evans parked at his residence while seated in the driver’s seat. Evans was taken into custody without incident. Officers located a hatchet in the front passenger seat as well as a box cutter in his pants pocket.
A jury was seated this morning with opening statements from state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and public defender Bill Easton. The trial is expected to last just one day.