Tucker Cipriano Update: Opening statements expected in trial of Mich. men charged in attack on family
(CBS) PONTIAC, Mich. - Opening statements could begin Monday afternoon in the trial of Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young, two Michigan men charged in last year's beating death of Cipriano's father, CBS Detroit reports.
Cipriano, 20, is being tried with Young, 21, on charges of first-degree murder in the April 16, 2012 death of 52-year-old Robert Cipriano. They are accused of beating him to death with a baseball bat in the family's Farmington Hills, Mich. home.
The two young men are also charged in the severe beatings of Cipriano's 51-year-old mother, Rosemary, and his brother, Salvatore, who was 17 at the time. Salvatore is reportedly still recovering from the attack, which is said to have been driven by a search for drug money.
Jury selection began June 10 and is reportedly expected to conclude today. CBS Detroit reports it has been a challenge to seat two juries, one for each of the defendants, although they are going on trial together.
According to the station, a large number of prospective jurors were excused due to their knowledge of the case or ties to the Cipriano family.
Furthermore, some of the prospective jurors reportedly broke down on the stand after hearing graphic details of the crime.
In opening statements, prosecutors are expected to walk the court through what they contend was a minutes-long rampage in which Robert Cipriano was bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat while Tucker Cipriano and Young were high on synthetic marijuana.
If convicted of first-degree murder, the two men face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.