Opening statements to begin in murder trial of man whose wife was found dead in trunk Wife of 20 years found dead in car trunk in 2018
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Gerald Stewart shown on Sky4's Friday image of house on Cavalry Boulevard showing a car in his driveway with the trunk open.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A jury was seated Monday in Duval County court for the murder trial of Gerard Stewart, who is charged in the 2018 stabbing death of his wife of 20 years, Julie.
Opening statements are expected to begin on Tuesday.
Stewart’s arrest ended a daylong SWAT standoff in the Sandalwood neighborhood, where police found his wife’s body in the trunk of his car.
Court records show that Stewart told his mother and a neighbor he killed his wife, who’d asked for a divorce. Court records also show that Stewart made incriminating statements to detectives. His lawyers filed a motion to have those statements suppressed, but it was denied.
RELATED: Man confesses to stabbing wife, stuffing body in trunk, police say | Related: Evidence points to marital, custody issues prompting wife’s murder
Stewart was indicted on first-degree murder, but it’s not a death penalty case.
Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
City Council holds first JEA Special Committee meeting over potential unpaid capacity fees ▶ 1:08
City Council holds first JEA Special Committee meeting over potential unpaid capacity fees
After three years, still no arrests made in Jacksonville Beach St. Patrick’s Day shootings ▶ 1:07
After three years, still no arrests made in Jacksonville Beach St. Patrick’s Day shootings
Senate Housing Bill could boost Jacksonville’s fight against affordability crisis ▶ 2:12
Senate Housing Bill could boost Jacksonville’s fight against affordability crisis
Donate, Declutter and Win During Goodwill’s ‘Clean Out Your Closet Week’ ▶ 1:34
Donate, Declutter and Win During Goodwill’s ‘Clean Out Your Closet Week’
Time to get some green in my garden. Expert advice from Five Points ▶ 4:03
Time to get some green in my garden. Expert advice from Five Points
Crashes increase on St. Patrick's Day so have a plan & stay alert ▶ 1:00
Crashes increase on St. Patrick's Day so have a plan & stay alert
JSO shoots man who pointed gun at officers while walking toward them outside Gate gas station ▶ 1:38
JSO shoots man who pointed gun at officers while walking toward them outside Gate gas station
Northwesterly winds bring unseasonable cold to our area ▶ 1:02
Northwesterly winds bring unseasonable cold to our area
Jacksonville TikTok influencer advocates for expansion of trade programs in Duval County ▶ 1:12
Jacksonville TikTok influencer advocates for expansion of trade programs in Duval County
Atlantic Beach urges riders to follow e-bike rules amid spring break ▶ 0:37
Atlantic Beach urges riders to follow e-bike rules amid spring break
Gas station awning toppled during thunderstorms in Nassau County ▶ 0:37
Gas station awning toppled during thunderstorms in Nassau County
Weather Authority Alert Day: Front brings risk of severe storms, gusty winds, tornadoes and hail ▶ 1:15
Weather Authority Alert Day: Front brings risk of severe storms, gusty winds, tornadoes and hail
Ponte Vedra double murder happened very close to another high profile crime scene ▶ 1:10
Ponte Vedra double murder happened very close to another high profile crime scene
TSA staffing shortages, sprawling line of thunderstorms affecting Spring Break flights ▶ 1:13
TSA staffing shortages, sprawling line of thunderstorms affecting Spring Break flights
Lights Out: Residents, businesses asked to turn off non-essential lights for bird migration ▶ 1:04
Lights Out: Residents, businesses asked to turn off non-essential lights for bird migration
JU women's basketball team will face LSU on Friday in NCAA tourney opener ▶ 0:53
JU women's basketball team will face LSU on Friday in NCAA tourney opener
Ludvig Åberg talks about entering the final round of The Players Championship with a 3-shot lead ▶ 0:47
Ludvig Åberg talks about entering the final round of The Players Championship with a 3-shot lead
Tommy Fleetwood signs kids' autographs at The Players Championship ▶ 0:30
Tommy Fleetwood signs kids' autographs at The Players Championship
Day 3 at The Players Championship ▶ 0:42
Day 3 at The Players Championship
Phase II water shortage affects Duval County and surrounding counties, simple tips to save water ▶ 0:53
Phase II water shortage affects Duval County and surrounding counties, simple tips to save water
Suspect arrested in Nassau County after fatal double shooting near TPC ▶ 1:07
Suspect arrested in Nassau County after fatal double shooting near TPC
Gov. DeSantis highlights some of his wins, priorities moving forward during newser in Jacksonville ▶ 1:29
Gov. DeSantis highlights some of his wins, priorities moving forward during newser in Jacksonville
Orange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking place ▶ 0:44
Orange Park police successfully prevent rumored unauthorized event from taking place
Jacksonville’s sports surge this month expected to bring nearly $55M economic impact, boost tourism ▶ 1:26
Jacksonville’s sports surge this month expected to bring nearly $55M economic impact, boost tourism
Nocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crash ▶ 0:53
Nocatee community rallies around resident who was left with a brain injury after a golf cart crash
Previous photo Next photo 