JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A jury has been selected in the trial of a man who faces a possible death sentence if convicted of the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in 2013.
News outlets reports that the panel was selected Friday in the trial of 61-year-old Donald Smith.
Smith is charged with the first-degree murder, rape and kidnapping of Cherish Perrywinkle.
Smith is accused of killing Perrywinkle after luring her family to Wal-Mart in June 2013 with promises to buy food and clothing. Cherish’s mother called 911 after she began to suspect Smith had left with the girl.
Smith’s attorneys had asked for the trial to be moved, saying a fair jury was impossible because of widespread local media coverage.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday.
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