Trial set in Conway police officer's death

CONWAY — A judge has scheduled a December trial for a Bald Knob man charged with battery and driving while intoxicated in a traffic wreck that killed a Conway police officer.

Barry Strickland appeared in Faulkner County Circuit Court on Monday. Strickland is charged in connection with the January 2013 death of Officer William McGary, who was struck and killed while directing traffic.

Faulkner County Circuit Judge Charles Clawson scheduled a Dec. 2 jury trial, though defense attorneys are asking for a change of venue.

A toxicology report showed Strickland had no alcohol or non-prescribed drugs in his system at the time of the accident. Defense attorneys say Strickland, who is an Iraq war veteran, had taken drugs that were legally prescribed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

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