Trial Set In Fatal Fire At Murray State

• {Murray, Kentucky}... On Monday, a judge set a July 6th trial date for Jerry Wayne Walker, a Paducah man facing charges in a fatal 1998 dorm fire at Murray State University. The campus fire in Hester Hall killed 19 year old Michael Minger, of Niceville, Florida and later prompted changes in campus fire security in Kentucky. Walker has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter, arson, assault and 14 counts of wanton endangerment. The judge also took under advisement two motions to dismiss the charges and a third to move the case. Walker's 2001 trial ended when a jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquittal and a judge declared mistrial. Prosecutors charged Walker again in September.