A jury of seven men and five women has been selected in the Randy Gori murder trial, according to a KMOV-TV report. Trial is expected to get under way Tuesday in Circuit Judge Kyle Napp's court.
Defendant Timothy Banowetz stands accused of stabbing to death the renowned asbestos lawyer in his Edwardsville mansion on Jan. 4, 2020.
He is represented by public defender Mary Copeland, who told Napp at a pretrial hearing that Banowetz turned down an offer to plead guilty to the first degree murder charges he faces.
In proceedings on Monday, Napp denied a request for general livestreaming of the trial. She is however allowing media who request access to view the trial remotely.
Copeland earlier had expressed concerns over her client's right to a fair trial.
She said video coverage could affect the free flow of information at trial.
“It’s difficult not to let it affect how you act,” Copeland said.
Napp said the Illinois Supreme Court expressed desire to open up court proceedings when it provided for extended media coverage. The Court found it wouldn’t diminish the right to a fair trial, she explained.
Assistant state's attorney Hal Harlow represents the state