Cpl. Keith Heacook murder suspect will not face a jury of his peers

DELMAR, Del. – It’s been more than two years since Corporal Keith Heacook was brutally murdered in Delmar, and now we’re learning the man accused in his death won’t face a jury of his peers.

Randon Wilkerson is accused of beating Corporal Heacook to death back in April of 2021. Today, the Department of Justice confirmed that Wilkerson’s attorney filed for a bench trial which means that a judge will decide the case on his own – and that there will be no jury involved.

We reached out to Sussex County Attorney and legal expert, John Brady to provide some insight as to why the defense would prefer a bench trial over a jury trial. He tells us it has a lot to do with the judge.

“A jury sometimes decides on emotion – why would this guy kill a police officer? A judge relies on the facts,” Brady explained. “Sometimes you want to go with the judge, so they know the intricacies of the law and the facts.”

Since Wilkerson’s arrest, the defense team has filed multiple continuances in the case that has resulted in the trial being pushed back several times.

47 ABC News has reached out to Wilkerson’s attorney who has yet to respond to our request for comment.

Wilkerson faces two counts of first degree murder – among other charges. If convicted, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The trial is scheduled to begin on October 16, 2023