Ash trial costs are more than $78,000

Kimball County taxpayers have paid a hefty price in the second Vencil Ash murder trial.

The weeklong trial in late January and early February has cost the county more than $78,000 as of claims paid in late April. Ash was found guilty in the 2003 murder of Ryan Guitron. He was sentenced to life in prison in late March.

Claims provided by the county clerk’s office show that the cost of the trial this fiscal year alone has more than doubled its budgeted amount. The county budgeted $30,000 for the trial this fiscal year, which began July 1, 2014, and runs through June 30. As of April 21, the county has paid out $65,464.68 in expenses for the trial this fiscal year.

The breakdown for the expenses showed the county paid over $24,000 in security, $19,000 in court costs, $11,000 in board/medical and $10,000 in transportation in this fiscal year. Josi Morgan, deputy county clerk, said the claims are not final. The county expects additional bills from the trial to come in for payment.

In the previous fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2014, the county paid $13,419.51 in costs for the trial. A total of $5,626 was paid for boarding expenses, and transportation expenses cost the county $5,524.31. The county was out $1,209.20 on court costs and $1,060 in security costs.