Jessica Tata jury selection begins, Houston day care owner charged with murder for fatal fire

(CBS/AP) HOUSTON - Jury selection has begun in the trial of Jessica Tata, who is charged with murder stemming from a fire at a Houston day care center that left four children dead and three injured.

Tata, 24, faces a felony murder charge in the death of one of the children, 3-year-old Shomari Dickerson. If convicted, she could face up to life in prison.

Prosecutors say that on Feb. 24, 2011, Tata left the children alone while she went to a nearby store, and that she left oil in a frying pan over a stove top burner that ignited the blaze while she was at the store.

Her attorneys said the murder charge is excessive because she never intended to harm the children.

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March 22, 2011 - Jessica Tata, Houston day care owner, returns from Nigeria to face charges in fatal fire
Feb. 28, 2011 - Jessica Tata flees to Nigeria after day care fire kills four, says Houston fire dept.