Kids might testify in dad's Mankato homicide trial

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) — A Blue Earth County judge is considering whether to allow three children to testify at their father's homicide trial.

The trial involves 35-year-old Joel Marvin Munt of Burnsville. He's accused of shooting his ex-wife in a Mankato park last year while the children watched. They were all under age 10 at the time.

District Court Judge Kurt Johnson questioned the children Thursday in a closed hearing to determine whether they'd be able to testify.

The Free Press of Mankato (http://bit.ly/oLR8Ge ) says the trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 12, but it may get pushed back. Defense attorney Scott Cutcher says if during the jury-selection process it becomes apparent that too many people have already made up their minds, he'll ask the judge to move the trial out of the county.

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