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| Defense attorney Don Thomas addresses potential jurors during Wednesday's jury selection process. Observing from behind Thomas is Circuit Judge Rene Williams. Thomas, a native of Crittenden County, has a law practice in Benton. |
The court and attorneys started the jury selection process at 2 p.m., Wednesday in Crittenden Circuit Court. It was completed in about five hours and jurors were dismissed for the evening.
A pool of 99 potential jurors reported and half of them, 49 to be exact, were excused for various reasons during what's called the voir dire segment of the trial. That is when the prosecutor, attorneys and judge question potential jurors to see if they've formed an opinion about the case or have other reasons that might prevent them from rendering a fair verdict. Some were eliminated based on what they'd heard about the case. Others were excused because they are related to the suspect, victim, their families or court officials.
From the remaining set of potential jurors, the court picked 14 to hear evidence in the case. Two of them will be alternates, and a dozen will be left to determine Tinsley's fate at the end of the trial. All 12 must agree in order to render a verdict. When jurors cannot agree on a verdict of guilt or innocence, the trial ends in a hung jury.
Testimony and evidence will be presented in the case starting at 8 a.m., Thursday morning. The trial is scheduled for at least two days. If it goes past Friday, the trial will resume on either Sept. 29 or Oct. 7 because Judge Rene Williams has other obligations beyond Friday evening and into early next week. Judge Williams told jurors to expect for the trial to go beyond dinner time Thursday evening and at least into the afternoon on Friday.
Tinsley, 50, was indicted in October of 2010 on charges of second-degree arson by complicity, a Class B felony, and reckless homicide, a Class D felony. His attorney is Don Thomas, a native of Crittenden County, who practices law out of his Benton office.
During the jury selection process, Thomas told potential jurors there would be "horrible" photographs of the victim's body and a 911 audio tape "just as horrible." Thomas teared up while talking about those photographs, and the defendant wept, too.
Prosecutor Zac Greenwell will present evidence for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky State Police handled the investigation.
During jury selection, Greenwell asked potential jurors if they had read anything about the case on Facebook. If so, he asked, did that cause them to form an opinion about the case. Some admitted reading about it, but none had formed an opinion. Most of the prospective jurors said they'd read about the case in The Crittenden Press. Thirteen were excused because they told the judge they'd already formed an opinion based on news accounts or talk on the streets or at work.
Tinsley has been free on bond since last fall.
During jury selection, Greenwell asked potential jurors if they had read anything about the case on Facebook. If so, he asked, did that cause them to form an opinion about the case. Some admitted reading about it, but none had formed an opinion. Most of the prospective jurors said they'd read about the case in The Crittenden Press. Thirteen were excused because they told the judge they'd already formed an opinion based on news accounts or talk on the streets or at work.
Tinsley has been free on bond since last fall.
The Crittenden Press Online will periodically update this developing story from the Crittenden County Courthouse.
