The state Transportation Commission has delayed installing highway signs along S.D. 44 honoring slain Turner County deputy Chad Mechels until after completion of a murder trial.

The state Department of Transportation says the request came from the Turner County's sheriff's office.

DOT Operations director Greg Fuller says there were concerns that it may have an effect, or might be perceived to have an effect, on the jury and lead to a request for a change of venue.

Twenty-year-old Ethan Johns is charged with murder in the March 15 shooting death of 32-year-old Mechels, of Madison.

The officer was sent to Johns' rented farmhouse to check on him after he reportedly threatened to kill himself during a fight with his girlfriend. Johns and Mechels shot at each other and Mechels was struck in the right arm and throat with a high-powered rifle.

Johns said it was self-defense.

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