Jury seated in retrial of man accused of murdering a vet tech 16 years ago

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – After five years, a jury has been seated in the retrial of Michael Renard Jackson, accused of killing a 25-year-old veterinary technician in 2007.

Jackson was originally found guilty of raping and murdering Andrea Boyer. In 2012, the Florida Supreme Court threw out the conviction and ordered a new trial, citing prejudicial comments made by Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives on the stand. Jackson’s conviction and death sentence was overturned on appeal.

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The case was set for retrial several times but kept getting delayed by legal maneuvering over the evidence and the pandemic.

Jury selection for the trial began in April 2018 but was abruptly halted.

Opening statements will be presented on Feb. 13. Jackson is facing the death penalty.