Jury Selection For Stiles Trial Begins
Stiles Accused Of Videotaping Himself Having Sex With 3-Year-Old
POSTED: 3:26 pm PST February 17,
2009
UPDATED: 8:28 am PST February 18,
2009
LAS VEGAS -- Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of a man who is accused of recording himself having sex with a 3-year-old girl.Chester Stiles, 38, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault in September 2007.
Jury Selection Begins In Stiles CaseNye County authorities discovered a tape which depicted a man sexually abusing a then 3-year-old girl. A nationwide manhunt ensued, including a story on "America's Most Wanted," leading to Stiles' arrest in Henderson.About 200 potential jurors came through the Regional Justice Center Tuesday, answering specific queries from the attorneys in the case and filling out a nine-page questionnaire."In cases like this, you're probably not going to find a group of people who have absolutely never heard about the case," said court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer. "They'll begin questioning them just to determine if they can be fair, impartial, and hear the facts in this case."Attorneys are taking such care selecting jurors because they will have to watch the primary piece of evidence -- the videotape -- once the trial gets underway."These types of cases can be repulsive to jurors," Bob Massi, FOX5 Legal Analyst, said. "This is a tough issue that any lawyer is faced with when picking a jury for somebody who's charged with what he's charged with. In a case like this, he will probably be as far away from that witness stand as possible, unless he can justify something."Stiles is charged with 22 counts of lewdness with a child and sexual assault on a minor.Officials have not said if the girl or her mother will be required to take the stand.Jury selection will resume Tuesday.
Jury Selection Begins In Stiles CaseNye County authorities discovered a tape which depicted a man sexually abusing a then 3-year-old girl. A nationwide manhunt ensued, including a story on "America's Most Wanted," leading to Stiles' arrest in Henderson.About 200 potential jurors came through the Regional Justice Center Tuesday, answering specific queries from the attorneys in the case and filling out a nine-page questionnaire."In cases like this, you're probably not going to find a group of people who have absolutely never heard about the case," said court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer. "They'll begin questioning them just to determine if they can be fair, impartial, and hear the facts in this case."Attorneys are taking such care selecting jurors because they will have to watch the primary piece of evidence -- the videotape -- once the trial gets underway."These types of cases can be repulsive to jurors," Bob Massi, FOX5 Legal Analyst, said. "This is a tough issue that any lawyer is faced with when picking a jury for somebody who's charged with what he's charged with. In a case like this, he will probably be as far away from that witness stand as possible, unless he can justify something."Stiles is charged with 22 counts of lewdness with a child and sexual assault on a minor.Officials have not said if the girl or her mother will be required to take the stand.Jury selection will resume Tuesday.Copyright 2009 by KVVU.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
