BENTONVILLE -- It will take another day to select alternate jurors for the capital murder trial for a Bella Vista man accused of killing his 6-year-old son.
Mauricio Torres and Cathy Torres are charged with capital murder and battery in the first degree. The couple is accused of killing their son, Maurice Isaiah Torres, last year. They each have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for both.
Prosecutors chose to try Mauricio Torres first.
Three jurors were selected during Friday's proceedings to get the dozen needed for the jury. Nine people were selected to the panel during the first three days of jury selection. The jury is made up of seven women and five men.
Three alternate jurors are needed for the case; one man was selected Friday evening.
Jury selection resumes at 8:30 a.m. Monday for the search for the final two jurors.
Alternate jurors are needed in case any of the 12 jurors need to be replaced on the panel.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren said the trial is likely to begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Maurice Isaiah Torres was pronounced dead at an area hospital March 29, 2015. A medical examiner determined he suffered chronic child abuse and his death was from internal injuries caused by rape, according to court documents.
The autopsy also found there were multiple healing and healed wounds and blunt force trauma to the child's head and other parts of his body, according to the probable-cause affidavit.
Torres also was arrested on suspicion of rape, but prosecutors didn't file a formal charge against him because the suspected rape happened in Missouri.
Torres' wife, Cathy, also is charged with capital murder and first-degree battery. She pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her trial is to begin May 5.
Mauricio and Cathy Torres, 45, are being held in the Benton County jail without bail.
If convicted of capital murder, the Torreses could each be sentenced to life imprisonment without the benefit of parole or a death sentence. They could each be sentenced from five to 20 years in prison if convicted of the battery charge.
NW News on 11/05/2016