JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jury selection is under way for the man police say gunned down three people in September 2002. Carlton Lumpkins is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for Johnnie Gatlin and her two nephews -- Chris and Deon Kirkland.
Monday prosecutors and defense attorneys sifted through 77 potential jurors in the hopes of bringing Lumpkins to trial next week.
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"We believe that by picking the jury this week and starting the trial next week, there is a stronger possibility that we can conclude the trial in one week," said state attorney Harry Shorstein.
Two other men, Maurice Silas and Latroy Beaunight, were arrested in connection with the shooting, and one of them -- Silas -- has pleaded guilty. Silas told investigators the killings were a case of mistaken identity. According to Silas, the suspects were looking for the people they believed were responsible for the murder of Lumpkins' brother.
Quinton Till, the attorney representing Lumpkins, filed for a change of venue, citing the amount of publicity the case has received as a reason for relocation.
"We are going to have a real hard time selecting a fair and impartial jury," said Till. "Then we may have to consider that the state attorney's office intends to ask for the death penalty."
Till's request will have to wait though, because the judge presiding over the case wants to select a jury before considering the motion. Jury selection is expected to be completed Tuesday. The trial is scheduled to begin Monday and Shorstein has said he will seek the death penalty.
Previous Stories:
- October 28, 2002: Police Accuse Man Of Retaliating Against Witnesses
- October 7, 2002: State Attorney Will Prosecute Triple-Murder Case
- October 7, 2002: Third Suspect In Triple Murder Turns Himself In
- October 4, 2002: Second Man Jailed, Third Hunted As Family, Community Grieves
- October 3, 2002: Police: Man Confesses To Triple Murder
- September 28, 2002: 2 Boys, Aunt Killed In Drive-By Shooting