Ballistics test ordered in '01 slaying

The bullet that killed Kang Ho Lee during a robbery at the Sunshine Market in Salt Lake City must be tested by a defense ballistics expert in Portland, Ore., 3rd District Judge Deno Himonas ordered Thursday.

Marcus Lamont Crocker, 27, is charged with capital murder in connection with the 2001 case.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys argued several motions Thursday to ensure that evidence and witnesses are ready for an eight-day trial starting Aug. 13.

Defense attorneys Scott Williams and Gil Athay also want information about two witnesses who are scheduled to testify against Crocker because they apparently have cooperated with prosecutors in other cases, including one case with sealed records in federal court. The defense team wants to know who said what and what they got in return for their cooperation.

Prosecutor Vincent Meister and Angela Micklos requested and were given a chance to respond in writing to the defense motion.

Crocker potentially faces the death penalty if convicted. He is also charged with first-degree felony obstruction of justice and second-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. He is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail.

Lee, a University of Utah linguistics student, was shot point blank during the robbery even though he had handed over the money and was holding his hands up in the air, according to a surveillance video shown during a previous court hearing.