The case against two people involved in a fatal February shooting has a good chance of going to trial by this coming January, according to court documents.

On a snowy afternoon last winter, the feud between Maxel Long, Leslie Long, and David Jarrell, escalated from cross words and threats to a shooting that left all three shot and Maxel Long, lying dead in the yard of one home.

A Boone County Grand Jury eventually charged Leslie Long, 60, and his relative Wayne Gullett Jr., 22, who allegedly assisted in arranging the assault which led to the death, charging them with murder, kidnapping and conspiracy. Maxel Long was Gullett’s stepfather.

Investigators originally filed a detailed criminal complaint outlining the events leading up to the shooting. This included allegations of threats and harassment allegedly perpetrated by Jarrell on members of the Long family.

The criminal complaint also detailed the morning preceding the crime, which included allegations of a long drinking spree by Gullett and the Longs. Deputies believe that initially the Longs planned to lay in wait for Jarrell to return to his Sycamore Road home where they were planning to abduct Jarrell at gunpoint and beat the intended victim.

What they did not plan on was Jarrell receiving a tip that the attack was going to take place. The man arrived armed with a .22-caliber handgun and used it to shoot at least one of the men. Jarrell also ended up being wounded from the blast of a 20-gauge shotgun.

Gullett was initially charged because investigators believe he followed Jarrell home and helped the Longs prepare for the attack.

Sheriff’s deputies did not charge Jarrell initially. However, the Boone County Grand Jury eventually charged him in connection with the incident.

Some of the suspects have been ill, which has led to at least two trial postponements over the past six months, and recently one attorney filed court documents seeking to have Gullett and Jarrell tried separately.

The murder trial is scheduled to go forward on November 12, but according to court officials, no one really expects the trial to take place on that date.

Recently, an attorney for Gullett argued before Boone County Circuit Judge Will Thompson that prosecutor’s plans to try him at the same time as the intended victim, David Jarrell, would be unfair to his client.

The court petition argued that it would be unfair to try them at the same time due to the fact that the Gullett was unarmed at the time of the incident, was 400 yards away when the shooting took place and that they were feuding.

Court documents also indicate that Leslie Long is suffering from serious heart trouble and might be too ill to make it to trial.

If attorneys wish to have their clients’ trials in this term of court, they must ask for it before January 19, 2009, when the current term ends.