ATHENS, Tenn. — Seven years after the body of his daughter was found in a pond, Mitchell Delashmitt went on trial Tuesday, accused of her rape and death.
Mr. Delashmitt faces charges of felony murder, aggravated child abuse and rape of a child. If convicted, he potentially faces the death sentence.
Angel Mae Delashmitt’s body was found in Riceville on June 19, 2003. Mr. Delashmitt has said he was asleep when he was supposed to be watching the child and was awakened by a neighbor asking after the girl.
Opening arguments in the trial could start today after the completion of jury selection.
McMinn County Circuit Court Judge Carroll Ross presided over a slow jury selection process Tuesday. Potential jurors were interviewed individually in a room near the courtroom. The goal was to form a jury pool of 50 people from whom the trial jury and alternates will be picked.