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The Carlie Brucia trial
Living here in the Sarasota area, I’ve been trying to keep up on what’s going on in the trial of Joseph P. Smith, the man accused of abducting, raping and then killing 11-year old Carlie Brucia. I’d imagine that because it’s been like a year and a half, alot of people have forgotten this case…unless you live around here.
Carlie is the little girl whos abduction was actually caught on video tape…click here to see it (I decided against posting the actual video, it’s a big file and would probably slow this already busy blog to a crawl). Please, go watch. Remember.
If you read the paper around here, the opinion of the defense attorney is that Joseph Smith can’t possibly receive a fair trail here…and that most of the jurors chosen should be removed, for one reason or another.
By TODD RUGER
todd.ruger@heraldtribune.com
SARASOTA COUNTY — Moments before seating 12 jurors and six alternates in the Joseph P. Smith murder trial Friday morning, the defense attorney said he wasn’t happy with the potential panel and asked the judge to move the trial.The answer was no.
Assistant Public Defender Adam Tebrugge is concerned that most jurors have seen a surveillance video of a man abducting Carlie Brucia, 11, before she was raped and murdered in February 2004. He said it’s impossible to seat an impartial jury in Sarasota County, where there has been extensive media coverage of the case.
After general questioning Thursday and Friday morning, the attorneys were given a number of strikes to eliminate potential jurors.
Tebrugge ran out and asked for more. Owens gave him 13 strikes, four more than usually given.
One of the last jurors dismissed delivered mail to Carlie’s home. Attorneys were concerned about him because he had delivered a deluge of sympathy letters to the family, or saw investigative activities at the home.
Prosecutors said they were satisfied with the 13 women and five men selected for the trial, which will start Monday with opening statements.
Tebrugge cited at least one juror he’d choose to dismiss if he had the chance: a woman identified only as Juror 117, who is married to a former assistant district attorney from another state, knows a lot about the case and has children ages 4 and 7.
He also told the judge there were three alternates he would strike from the jury if he had any strikes left.
“It seemed like the judge was intent on selecting a jury, and we did,” Tebrugge said.
He was given extra strikes, and still wanted more. I understand that the job of the defense attorney is to try to get your client off….my question is, how can this man even WANT to get Joseph Smith off…and how can you think it’s possible? There’s video tape of the man leading Carlie away…leading away an 11-year old girl. He told his brother where he left her. How can anyone think that he deserves to be set free?
I guess that’s why I’m not a lawyer…and there’s no way I could be a juror in this case.
I just left a comment, where did it go? I don’t know about this case but I have (sadly) read about other ones. Common sense tells me there is something very wrong if one person believes this man should be set free. It is repulsive. And now excuse me, I need a cup of coffee to calm my emotions. Michele sent me.
Michele sent me your way, Tammy and it’s been far too long since I’ve visited. I have to add your blog onto my list so I don’t forget you!
As for your post, it’s the guy’s job to adequately represent his client. If he doesn’t do it well, then the Joseph Smith fellow can appeal on that basis.
Of course you’re right, the case does seem to be a slam-dunk but due process must be observed.
I hadn’t heard of this case, but there are so many stories like this. It is such a ugly world we live in when children are the pawn to someone’s evil twisted mind. God help us!
I’ll be checking back here to keep up on this story….here via Michele’s.
Yes, I do remember this case very well.
There is no way I could be a defense attorney, either – I would have a hard time living with my conscience.
Being in England, I haven’t heard of this case. It does look horrifying.
I want the attorney to do his job, so that this scum can’t make years of appeals that he was inadequately represnted and get a new trial too.
And I want on his jury to argue in the jury room, if needed, as persuasively as I can, that this man should die.
I will never forget this little girl. What happened to her is so sickening. I could never be a defense lawyer.
~K!
There is no reason you shouldn’t be a juror in this case. The law barring people who already have information and opinions is absurd. The court process itself lays out the best available information. Modern developments have restricted what evidence can be admitted in court, but they are broadlyl improper. Jurors should have all the evidence and decide for themselves what is relevant. Neither is the exclusionary rule a proper way to enforce restrictions on search. If the evidence revealed that the person on the tape was not the accused, you would be grateful for the opportunity to clear an innocent man. The only grounds for keeping reasonable people off of a jury is if they have a personal connection to the case or a vested interest in the outcome.
Yes, but, where is the newspaper with today’s date on it?
Just kidding.
Terrible. I haven’t forgotten.