JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday morning in the trial for a man accused of murdering a Jacksonville couple nearly two years ago.
Michael Jackson, 24, is one of four accused of kidnapping and killing James and Carol Sumner in July 2005.
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Last month, one of the other suspects, Bruce Nixon, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, armed kidnapping and armed robbery.
The Sumners, both 61, were reported missing after their daughter could not reach them by telephone, traveled here from South Carolina to find the couple's dog dead and her parents gone from their St. Nicholas home.
Detectives said Nixon led them to a Charlton County, Ga., grave where the couple was buried alive.
Prosecutors said Jackson and Nixon, along with Tiffany Cole and Alan Wade, abducted and killed the Sumners in order to steal from them. They were all charged with armed robbery, kidnapping and two counts of murder.
Nixon faces from 52 years to life in prison, but will not be sentenced until the cases of the other three defendants are resolved.
Previous Stories:
- September 15, 2005: Two Suspects In Missing Couple's Murders Extradited
- August 12, 2005: Missing Couple Murder Suspects To Be Tried In Florida
- July 20, 2005: Medical Examiner: Missing Couple Buried Alive
- July 17, 2005: Police Recover Bodies Believed To Be Missing Couple
- July 16, 2005: Police: Missing Couple Believed Dead
- July 13, 2005: Missing Couple Feared Victims Of Foul Play