Jurors chosen for trial of teen

PENSACOLA - (AP) -- Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a teenager accused of first-degree premeditated murder for the stabbing death of his uncle.

Daniel Carter was 15 when he killed Jack Carter, 46, of Navarre Beach. The boy, now 16, claims he acted in self-defense after his uncle burst into his bedroom in a drunken rage, hitting him and threatening to castrate him on July 17, 2002.

Opponents of prosecuting juveniles in adult court have rallied to Daniel's side and held prayer vigils for the lanky, sandy-haired teen.

If convicted as charged, the only penalty possible is life in prison without parole. Daniel turned down a plea offer that would have capped a possible sentence at 12 years.

Lawyers' opening statements and initial prosecution testimony are scheduled for Tuesday, after the six-member jury is selected. The trial is expected to end Thursday or Friday.

Daniel's mother, Cindy Carter, had asked her brother to speak with her son at their home in the Beulah community northwest of Pensacola.

She said she was worried that Daniel and another teen were planning to obtain and sell marijuana, but that Jack Carter also was angry with the teen for getting into his surfing magazines in her barn.

Cindy Carter said in a recent interview that she could hear slaps and her brother threatening her son from her bedroom. She supports Daniel's contention that he grabbed the knife only to defend himself.

A key element in the case will be the significance of multiple stab wounds that Jack Carter suffered and cuts on Daniel's hands. Both sides will call on former medical examiners to testify whether the injuries support a self-defense or premeditated murder scenario.

Assistant State Attorney David Rimmer and defense lawyer Patrece Cashwell questioned 46 prospective jurors, including 25 who said they had heard or read about the case.

Circuit Judge Terry Terrell dismissed three prospective jurors after initial questioning -- a man who said he could not sit in judgment, another man who knew several people involved in the case and a woman who works as an assistant public defender.