Next week's criminal jury term canceled

Escambia County's criminal jury term scheduled for Sept. 13 through Sept. 24 in Brewton has been cancelled, but Presiding Circuit Judge Jeff White issued an order Tuesday calling for a mandatory settlement docket of persons who were scheduled to be tried by a jury.

Judge White said the increase in COVID-19 cases, increased hospitalization and what he said appears to be a higher mortality rate, prompted him to issue the order.

About 250 jury summons were sent out in anticipation of holding jury trials, but White said those who received summons can disregard them for this session. As of now he s...