First day of Joseph Smith trial wraps up

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Tebrugge said investigators pursued the wrong man in the case.

The trial of Joseph P. Smith began on Monday in Sarasota.

Smith, 39, is accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota in February 2004.

Assistant State Attorney Debra Johnes Riva and public defender Adam Tebrugge gave opening statements in the morning to the jury of eight women and four men.

Watch video of opening statements by the prosecution and defense.
	Click here to play Click here to play

Riva gave graphic details about how Brucia was killed.

"Although her hands were tied, there is evidence that she did try to struggle," said Riva. "He used his power and control to abduct and kill an innocent 11-year-old girl."

Tebrugge said dozens of people were questioned in the case, yet only Smith was pursued.

"You are the first group of citizens to ever hear all of the evidence in this case," said Tebrugge.

Picture from surveillance video of abduction that will be used in the trial.

During the afternoon session, the first defense witness took the stand. He was Brucia's stepfather, Steve Kansler.

"Carlie was a responsible person," said Kansler. "Carlie just wouldn't get up and leave and run away. So I had a fatherly instinct something was wrong."

Tebrugge tried to illustrate that Brucia's family ran in the same circles with people that have criminal backgrounds, and that there were problems at the house.

"Isn't it also true that Carlie and her mother did not always get along?" Tebrugge asked Kansler.

"That's true," said Kansler. "I mean everyone has problems."

The car wash video showing Brucia's abduction was also brought up. The car wash owner took the stand and answered several questions about the surveillance system and how it operates.

Brucia was walking home from a friend's house when she was abducted.

Moments before the video was shown, Tebrugge made one last attempt to get the video thrown out, but that was denied.

Brucia was abducted on Feb. 1, 2004. She was found dead four days later near the Central Church of Christ on Proctor Road in Sarasota.

Smith could face the death penalty if convicted.

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