PONTIAC, Mich. – The murder trial of Tucker Cipriano and his alleged accomplice Mitchell Young began Monday with jury selection.
Cipriano is accused of using a baseball bat to beat his family members on April 16, 2012, in their home. He and Young are facing first-degree murder charges. Local 4 Defender Hank Winchester is inside the courtroom.
10:08 a.m.
The potential jurors are now in court
The Judge is reading some of the rules for jurors.
The attorneys are now going through the list of possible witnesses.
The list is long and includes Rose, Tanner, Sal and Greg Cipriano.
Right now the judge is asking any potential jurors if they know any of the witnesses.
Tucker Cipriano sits in court. He is clean shaven, wearing glassses, almost preppy. He looks much different that the image we have seen in previous mug shots.
So far 3 potential witnesses have been excused.
Just says trial will last week and a half.
Wed afternoon jury selection will continue.
Fri trial begins
Mon, (off Tues) Wed afternoon, Thurs, Fri. Case to jury following Monday.
10:25 a.m.
Half of the potential jurors told the judge they have heard about the case in the media.
The judge is now trying to determine how much these potential jurors know about the case. She is beginning to adk about their knowledge & if they will be influenced by what they have seen or heard in the media.
The others jurors who do not have knowledge of the case are waiting in the hall.
2 p.m.
2pm afternoon session underway.
A new group of potential jurors in the courtroom now.
A handful of people have been excused including a woman who is a nurse and treated one of the Ciprianos in the hospital.
The Judge said jury selection will continue today until 4:30.
It looks like they will have to continue Wed afternoon as this process is slow and it takes roughly 10 minutes to question each potential juror.
Another woman is now being excused because she's 37 weeks pregnant.
2:55 p.m.
Filed by Prosecutors office in response to media interviews and letters released by Greg Cipriano.
The prosecution asking for jury to be sequestered and also for statements to be limited to the press.
Granting motion in part no witnesses allowed to make further statements or discuss case outside courtroom.
Prosecutor: Tucker Cipriano, Young will get no plea deal