Both men have asked that they be tried separately.
Baltimore, Md (KM) A decision on whether to separate the upcoming trials of Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins and local firearms business owner Robert Krop will come at a later date. US District Court Judge Stephanie Gallagher on Tuesday postponed a request on whether to separate the trials of both defendants who are charged with conspiring to acquire machine guns.
During a two-hour hearing in federal court in Baltimore, Judge Gallagher said she wanted more information about how audio recordings of the two men’s interviews with federal agents could affect the other person’s defense if played during a joint trial.
Sheriff Jenkins and Krop were indicted in April on five counts of conspiracy and making false statements to illegally obtain machine guns. Krop is also charged with illegal possession of machine guns. He is the owner of the Machine Gun Nest outside of Frederick.
Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defense is asking that the two trials be separated, but federal prosecutors want to try both defendants in one trial.
By Kevin McManus