Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND -The fate of Jeffrey Wade Chapman is now in the jury’s hands after closing arguments were heard Tuesday at the Barton County Courthouse. After hearing those final arguments and getting instructions from District Judge Ron Svaty, the jury deliberated just over an hour but did not reach a verdict in the first-degree murder case.

Chapman is accused of killing 25-year old Damon Galyardt in November of 2011. Hunters in a field West of Great Bend found Galyardt’s body.

Chapman testified on his own behalf yesterday and said he did not seek out Galyardt with the intent to kill him. Instead, Chapman says he only wanted to talk to Galyardt, but the Great Bend man came at him with a knife forcing him to shoot.

The jury will resume deliberations this morning. In his instructions to jurors Tuesday, Judge Svaty informed the panel that they could opt for the charge of premeditated first degree murder or lesser charges, such as second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter or voluntary manslaughter as well as not guilty.