Weber indictment will be sought

Kim Smith

Tuesday, April 30, 2002 | 9:22 a.m.

Prosecutors have scheduled time before a grand jury in the hopes of obtaining an indictment against double murder suspect Timmy J. Weber.

Prosecutors hoping to prove they have enough evidence to take a case to trial have the option of presenting their case to grand jurors in a closed session or to a magistrate in an open courtroom.

Assistant District Attorney J. Charles Thompson said Monday that prosecutors in the Weber case chose to go before a grand jury in part because they want to spare an alleged 14-year-old sexual assault victim the trauma of testifying in open court.

Weber, 28, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Kim Gautier, 38, and her 15-year-old son, Anthony, on April 4 and assaulting Gautier's 14-year-old daughter.

Weber was caught Sunday evening after spending 24 days on the run. Police said he had been hiding in a vacant mobile home owned by Kim Gautier's father.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas said he intends to ask Chief District Judge Mark Gibbons Wednesday to ensure that at least two defense attorneys are present during the grand jury proceeding because the district attorney's office will likely seek the death penalty for Weber.

Weber will make his first court appearance at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday before Justice of the Peace Jennifer Togliatti.