Smith trial set to begin

Carlie Brucia was kidnapped and murdered in 2004.

The jury trial for the man accused of the murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia begins Monday morning.

Joseph Smith, 39, is accused of abducting Brucia as she was walking back from a friend's house along Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota and later murdering her.

Her body was found near the Central Church of Christ on Proctor Road in Sarasota.

Shortly after Brucia's disappearance, a car wash surveillance video showing a man grabbing Brucia's arm surfaced. The video generated hundreds of tips. One of those tips led investigators to Smith.

The jury that will decide Smith's fate is composed of eight women and four men. Three jurors have law enforcement ties. One is a minister. Their identities will be protected during the trial.

Joseph Smith has pleaded not guilty in Carlie Brucia's murder.

Court leaders say there will be extra security at the Sarasota courthouse during the trial.

"We'll have extra law enforcement people within the courtroom itself," said court administrator Faye Rice. "There won't be any seating right behind the defendant."

At least 100 witnesses will take the stand during the trial. Jurors will listen to almost 2,000 pages of evidence that have not been released to the public until now.

The public defender wanted the video surveillance tape from the car wash excluded because he said it may have been manipulated before it was given to detectives. The judge ruled against that request. The videotape will be used as evidence in the trial.

The trial is expected to take about two weeks. If the jury finds Smith guilty, the former auto mechanic could receive life in prison or the death penalty.

Defense attorneys haven't said whether Smith will testify in his own defense.




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