MCPHERSON – McPherson County District Judge Carl Anderson has turned down a request for a new trial by a 50-year-old man convicted of attempted 2nd degree murder.

50-year-old John Wayne Cravens was convicted on the charge for the stabbing his 34-year-old girlfriend. Craven stabbed Shelby Coffin with a knife multiple times in the chest and abdomen. She was taken to a McPherson Hospital for treatment of her injuries and survived.

The center of the defense request for a mistrial was over jury selection and centered on one juror in particular who didn’t answer a question, they now believe he should have. They apparently made no objection prior to trial.

Apparently, the question was asked by Judge Anderson. He asked all of the jurors if they knew the defendant or any of the witnesses which would impair their ability to be fair and impartial, and judge the credibility of that persons testimony.

One juror apparently did know the first witness, Jeff Strawn. The two had apparently gone to school together and on some occasions had partied together while in school. But, the judge ruled that there is no indication that they are now close friends or any way related. He says the defense motion, “lacks merit and must be overruled. He says in a community as small as McPherson, it would be almost impossible to grow up and not know individuals and go to school with them. He says, “ the fact that they happened to attend a party at the same time does not make juror #27’s non-response, misconduct.

Cravens is looking at a sentencing range of 55-to-247 months and a fine not to exceed 300-hundred thousand dollars for the conviction. His bond in the case set at 250-thousand dollars .

Judge Anderson’s set a motion hearing on one more issue, as well as sentencing in the case for March 26 at 10:00 a-m.