Jury chosen to hear case of alleged child molestation, witness intimidation
The selection of jurors who will weigh allegations of sexual assault and witness intimidation began Monday afternoon in Washington County Court.
Testimony is expected to start Wednesday in the case of James Andrew Burnsworth, 41, for whom court cases listed addresses in Marianna and Clarksville.
Burnsworth is charged with indecent and statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, furnishing liquor to a minor, simple assault and witness intimidation.
Assistant District Attorney Craig McKay said he could call as many as 15 witnesses.
Burnsworth, represented by attorney Joseph Francis, is free on bond. Francis named a half-dozen potential witnesses, including his client.
Judge Michael Lucas told the 42 prospective jurors who gathered in his courtroom that they would respond to a series of questions and then be questioned individually before the prosecution and defense finalized their selection of 12 jurors and two alternates, a process that would likely take several hours.
Burnsworth is alleged to have sexually assaulted two girls between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2016, and he is accused of trying to keep minor children and their mother from testifying in a preliminary hearing in a 2015 child abuse case and an assault case a year later.
The jury will consider a total of 13 counts.
Lucas instructed members of the jury pool they must stay away from media reports and social media and they should not to attempt to conduct any investigation on their own.