ATHENS, Tenn. - Jury selection began this morning in McMinn County Circuit Court in the trial of a father charged in the 2003 rape and death of his 14-month-old daughter.
Angel Mae Dunn was found in a pond at the family home. Mitchell Delashmitt told police at the time that he had been asleep while he was supposed to be babysitting the child while her mother, Rebecca Dunn Green, was at work.
He later confessed and charged with felony murder, aggravated child abuse and rape of a child.
In 2007, his confession was thrown out by Judge Carroll Ross on the grounds that prosecutors ignored Mr. Delashmitt's request for an attorney before he confessed. His bond was reduced from $100,000 to $15,000. He has remained free on bond.
Judge Ross told potential jurors that the trial likely will take three to four days.
The medical examiner's report also became a factor in the trial.
Former Bradley County Medical Examiner Ron Toolsey's autopsy report is disputed by the defense attorney.
Mr. Toolsey's medical license was suspended by the state of Tennessee last year after an investigation into malpractice allegations related to the Delashmitt case.
Judge Ross told jurors that some of the "significant witnesses" may include Mr. Toolsie.