Jury selection process continues in Williams case

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001 | 11:02 a.m.

Attorneys in the Jessica Williams trial continued to whittle their list of potential jurors this morning in the second day of jury selection.

On Monday District Judge Mark Gibbons agreed to release about two dozen people from their obligation. The pool started at about 100 people.

Six of those excused were acquainted with the victims or their families, and several others had purchased nonrefundable tickets for vacations or family events.

At least two of the prospective jurors had formed an opinion on Williams' guilt or innocence, and a couple more complained that the trial would cause them an economic hardship.

Opening arguments are expected to start at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Williams, 21, is accused of running over and killing six youths March 19 as they picked up trash in the median of Interstate 15 north of Las Vegas.

Prosecutors contend Williams passed out while under the influence of marijuana and Ecstasy, while her attorney maintains she simply fell asleep.

Those killed were Malena Stoltzfus, Rebeccah Glicken, Jennifer Booth, Anthony Smith, Scott Garner Jr. and Alberto Puig. All were 14 to 16 years old.

The trial is the first of two to stem from the incident. The parents of the teenagers who were killed have filed a civil lawsuit against Clark County and Republic Services of Southern Nevada, which financed the juvenile work crews.

Each of the children were performing community work service for having committed minor criminal offenses. The parents say they were never informed the children would be working on the interstate, picking up trash that had fallen from Republic's trash trucks on the way to a landfill.

No date has been set for the civil trial.

Williams has been charged with six counts each of reckless driving, involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of a controlled or prohibited substance. She has also been charged with one count each of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Williams faces up to 120 years if convicted.