Trial Approaching for Man Charged in Death of Shea Stremcha

Editor's note: This is written by Jeff Stremcha, whose son, , a 2004 graduate, was killed last year in his Minneapolis home.

A trial date has been set for Semaj Williams, with first-degree murder in the .  Jury selection is expected to begin on Tuesday, May 15, with the trial itself likely beginning on Monday, May 21. Shea was killed during an invasion of his home located in an otherwise quiet residential neighborhood in south Minneapolis on July 20, 2011.  Williams has pleaded not guilty of the crime.

Shea's parents, Jeff and Leanne Stremcha are hoping that approximately 15-20 friends will attend each day of the actual trial as a show of support for Shea. Jury selection is expected to last 3-5 days w/ the trial following. The trial is expected to last 5-7 days. To that end, an online sign-up process has been established to help facilitate attendance to the proceeding and to try to prevent over/under attendance.  The courtroom will have a total of 42 'observer' seats and roughly one-third will be reserved for immediate family members on each side of the case.  After that, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Anyone planning to attend, is asked to complete a sign-up form.

All trial activities are held in room 1456, Tower C, of the Hennepin County Govt Center on S 6th Street between 3rd Ave S and S 4th Ave in downtown Minneapolis.  Hennepin County District Judge, The Honorable Marilyn Kaman, will hear the case which will be prosecuted by Assistant County Attorneys Therese Galatowitsch and Sarah Hilleren.  Williams is being defended by Katie Rindfleisch of the Kamrath Law Group.

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