Jury selection slowed in Singleton trial

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1997 | 11:14 a.m.

Circuit Judge Bob Anderson Mitcham offered the possibility of a change of venue as just one of several possible scenarios after all but 48 of 125 original potential jurors were excused because of pretrial publicity.

Singleton, 70, is accused of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of prostitute Roxanne Hayes, 31, at his home Feb. 19.

Prosecutors will ask for the death penalty if he is convicted.

Singleton had moved to his native Tampa after serving the maximum eight years in prison for raping and chopping off the arms of a teen-age hitchhiker in California.

Mary Vincent was 15 when she was kidnapped, attacked and left for dead by Singleton on a remote California ranch in 1978. The Tacoma, Wash., woman has agreed to be a prosecution witness in the sentencing phase of his trial if he is convicted.

Besides raising the possibility of a change of venue, Mitcham also said Tuesday he is requesting court officials reserve an additional 50 potential jurors, but will hold off questioning them unless it becomes clear a jury cannot be chosen from the remaining candidates.

On Wednesday, attorneys will begin questioning the 48 remaining jurors about their views on capital punishment.

The judge also turned down once more a request by the defense to sequester the panel once it is selected.

Mitcham told both sides he will hold a Saturday session if necessary to seat a jury.