In June, the stream of paperwork had become a veritable flood as time for the trial grew nearer. On June 13, a particularly large group of motions on Barbara’s behalf was filed in the office of Circuit Clerk Dwayne Amos. A “Motion for Personal Service on Potential Jurors Who Do Not Respond to Their Summons, and for the Court to Determine All Excusals” was presented to the court, asking that service of summons on jurors be determined so as to avoid any prejudice to her right to a fair trial. The motion asked that personal service be made upon any jurors who failed to respond to their summons mailed by the clerk, and that the court hear and determine any applications for excusal or to have jury service deferred only after notice to Barbara and Stallings. The case, the motion said, had received extraordinary news coverage in the Centre media, as well as throughout the state. There was widespread knowledge about the case in the community, and strongly held opinions about Barbara’s guilt and the appropriateness of the death penalty in this case.
