LONDON, Ont. - Crown and defence lawyers will begin picking a jury Wednesday from a pool of 116 people who remain following the first stage of jury selection in the trial of a man accused of killing an eight-year-old girl.
Michael Rafferty, 31, is charged with first-degree murder, sexual assault causing bodily harm and kidnapping in the death of Victoria Stafford.
Tori disappeared while on her way home from school in nearby Woodstock on April 8, 2009, and her body was found three months later.
Terri-Lynne McClintic, now 21, has already been convicted of first-degree murder in the girl's death.
Jury selection began Monday at the courthouse in London, Ont., and the majority of the 447 people who went before Superior Court Judge Thomas Heeney were excused for various reasons such as financial hardship, medical issues or vacation plans.
The people ultimately chosen will be subject to a "considerable amount" of hardship and inconvenience, but it's necessary, Heeney told those assembled Tuesday.
"Trial by jury stands as a pillar of our justice system," he said. "It is both a privilege and a responsibility."
Potential jurors were told the trial is expected to last between 2 1/2 and three months, possibly extending into June. Most weeks the trial will sit Tuesdays to Fridays, Heeney said. Because of the time commitment and the nature of the case, Heeney raised the amount of compensation jurors will get.
In most trials in Ontario jurors are paid $40 a day if they sit longer than 10 days, and from the 50th day onward they get $100 a day. For this trial jurors will receive $40 a day from the outset, rising to $100 a day starting on the 25th day.
During the trial the jury is set to visit the site where Tori's body was found.
The 116 people will be asked several questions Wednesday and Thursday as the lawyers seek to pick 12 jurors and two alternates.
Rafferty's trial was moved from Woodstock to London in light of publicity surrounding the girl's death.
The trial is also expected to draw extensive media coverage, so Heeney has set some ground rules. Reporters can use devices such as laptops or smartphones but won't be allowed to transmit from the courtroom.
However, a satellite courtroom will be set up for the trial, from which reporters will be allowed to electronically transmit information.
Members of the public won't be permitted to use personal electronic devices in either courtroom.
