The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has been granted a one week continuance to file responses in the murder case against Justin Thurber of Arkansas City.
District Judge Jim Pringle granted the continuance Friday – the original deadline for the first round of legal filings, according to assistant attorney general Andy Bauch.
Thurber, 24, is charged with?capital murder, rape, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sodomy in connection with the slaying of 19-year-old Jodi? Sanderholm last January. Pringle entered a not guilty plea for Thurber during his arraignment last July.
Sanderholm was a popular Cowley College dance team member when she disappeared. Her car was found four days later in the Cowley State Fishing off U.S. 166. Her body was discovered in a wooded area about 11 miles away.
The state has indicated it may seek the death penalty if a jury finds Thurber guilty. His trial isn’t scheduled until June 24, 2008. He is being held in the Cowley County jail.
