BEMND, OLR -- The murder trial of 50 year old Joanna Kasner is supposed to start February 26th but it could be delayed. Kasner wrote a letter to the judge stating she had fired her attorney. The attorney says that isn’t true. The Bulletin reports between now and the trial Kasner could accept a plea deal or, be sent to the State Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation. Kasner is accused of gunning down a neighbor, 59 year old Valerie Peterson in January 2019 in Bend. Peterson was walking her dogs and police believe Kasner called over to her saying she wanted to pet her dogs. Kasner then allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Peterson and one of her dogs. Kasner pleaded not guilty in September.
