PULASKI COUNTY (WSLS 10) -- The trial of Ashley White, the mother of a 5-year-old who was found in a septic tank, began on Monday.
At the start of the trial White maintained her innocence, pleading not guilty to felony child abuse and neglect charges for the 2015 death of Noah Thomas.
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About 140 people were subpoenaed as potential jurors for this case; 122 of them reported for jury duty.
By the end of Monday, 15 jurors had been selected. Tuesday morning, an additional seven will be selected as well. That makes a total 22.
However, both the defense and prosecution will then get four strikes each. That will bring the jury down to 12 members and two alternates.
Before the trial began, Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Bradley Finch and the lawyers agreed to question the potential jurors three at a time.
Potential jurors were asked a number of questions, including if they helped search for Noah, if they attended his funeral and/or vigils, or if they contributed to any fundraisers for him. They were also asked if any of them posted anything about Noah on social media.
Last month, Judge Finch said he would take under advisement a change of venue request from Ashley White's defense attorney. Finch said if the attorneys are not satisfied, had difficulty seating an impartial jury, or if there are other issues he would consider the defense's request for a change of venue.
Around 50 percent of the potential jurors were sent home during selection.
Many stated that they had already made up their minds that Ashley White was guilty. Others said that White must prove to them that she is innocent, rather than the prosecution proving that she is guilty. The law states that the burden if proof is on the prosecution.
White and 32-year-old Paul Thomas are accused of leaving Noah and infant daughter, Abigail, home alone on March 22 of last year. Noah's body was found in a septic tank near the family's home in Dublin four days later. The medical examiner determined he drowned and hypothermia contributed to his death.
Thomas is also charged with felony child abuse and neglect. His one-day bench trial is set for March 9.
The remainder of the jury selection process will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. The commonwealth's witnesses have been instructed to report to the courthouse by 2 p.m.