Jury Trial for Schoonover Vacated, Hearing to Reschedule in February

The jury trial of Jasper County murder suspect Paul Schoonover was vacated Thursday, and will be rescheduled.

Jasper County Public Defender Lindsay Wantuck requested the appointment of an expert. Judge Kevin Parker granted the request and vacated the trial, which had been scheduled to begin on January 16. The case will be back in court in Newton on February 27.

The 30-year-old Schoonover is charged with five counts of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery. He is accused of fatally injuring 59-year-old Terry Eastep of Newton in June of 2023.

Schoonover remains in custody in Jasper County Jail in Newton.