Jury choice begins Monday for the trial of a person accused of raping and killing his niece in 2018.
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Johnathan Quiles is accused of killing his 16-year-old niece Iyana Sawyer and her unborn little one in December 2018. Sawyer was final seen on Dec. 19, 2018, touring to her uncle’s job at a salvage yard on North Foremost Avenue after leaving faculty. Her physique was by no means discovered, however police imagine she was shot lifeless and he physique dumped at Otis Highway Landfill.
Motion Information Jax advised you in June that the decide would resolve if previous crimes dedicated by Quiles could possibly be heard at trial. The decide granted the state’s request Aug. 11, which means Quiles’ previous deeds may be talked about to show a motive in court docket.
Learn: Decide to resolve if previous crimes of man accused of killing niece may be heard at trial
The state additionally filed a movement asking the decide to use Florida’s new dying penalty legislation to the case. The brand new legislation permits a jury to advocate dying with an 8-4 vote reasonably than be unanimous.
Quiles’ protection filed counter motions arguing that implementing the brand new legislation could be unconstitutional for the reason that alleged homicide came about in 2019 whereas the dying penalty legislation nonetheless required a unanimous jury.
The decide has but to rule on the dying penalty motions, as he mentioned he wanted to higher analysis the brand new legislation earlier than making a choice.
Jury choice begins at 10 a.m. at Duval County Courthouse. Motion Information Jax might be within the courtroom and can present updates as we get them.
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