Live from the courtroom: Laurean Trial: Day 1
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on August 9, 2010 9:36 AM
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Richard Sewell, a security guard working at the Wayne County Courthouse, walks a beat around the building early today. Security has been beefed up around the courthouse as the Cesar Laurean murder trial began with pre-trial motions. It is expected to continue for several weeks.
Jury selection for the case against accused murderer Cesar Laurean is likely to start Tuesday.
Today, the first day of the high-profile case was short, and spent primarily in pre-trial motions.
The concerns over security and a clogged courthouse did not seem be an issue today.
Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith told attorneys representing the state and Laurean that potential jurors would be ready for the process to begin by tomorrow morning.
Laurean, who was present Monday in Courtroom No. 1, is charged in the 2007 death of Marine Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach, whose remains were found buried behind Laurean's home.
The former Marine corporal was escorted in and out of court by the arm and is currently being held in the Wayne County Jail.
Also in the courtroom for Monday's session were some of Laurean's family members.
For more on the first day of the proceedings and a preview of the next step, see Tuesday's News-Argus.