Lansdale had been on trial all week, charged with taking two girls into his home when they were teenagers and having sex. Mrs Pearce then was aged 14. Lansdale faced nearly 60 years in prison if convicted of all charges. He was free on bail during the trial. Undersheriff Mike Lyon said there were airport-like metal detectors used outside two of the three courtrooms.
Officers also use portable metal detectors at the third courtroom.
There were no detectors at the courthouse entrance, Mr Lyon said, because officials decided it would be too costly and an inconvenience. Lansdale was unaware the jury had found him guilty.