Jury Selection Begins For Woman Accused Of Murdering 2-Year-Old
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MCKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - Jury selection is underway for the woman accused of killing her fiancé's two-year-old daughter Grace Ford. The little girl was found unconscious in her crib a year ago, with her mouth covered with duct tape.
One hundred fifteen potential jurors were called to the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. Only 14 of them -- 12 jurors and two alternates - will be chosen to serve on this high-profile case.
Melinda Muniz is facing murder charges for Ford's death. An autopsy found that the little girl was suffocated. According to the arrest warrant in this case, Muniz staged a home invasion robbery only hours after her fiancé broke up with her.
Before the toddler's death, Muniz was seen in surveillance video at a nearby store pushing Grace in a cart, while buying "silver duct tape, nylon cable ties, kitchen shears and cotton swabs." Police say those items were later used to murder Grace.
Potential jurors are being asked if they have read, seen, or heard any media or internet accounts of the case. Finding jurors who haven't already made a decision about Muniz and the case will be important for both the defense and the prosecutors.
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