Josh Griffin, 24, is accused of murder in the death of cocktailwaitress Kim Medlin last year. He could receive the death penalty ifconvicted. Griffin has said he isinnocent.
The trial was moved from Union County to Rowan after prosecutors citedcourtroom publicity and a crowded court schedule.
Officials ordered 125 potential jurors to report to the Rowan CountyCourthouse for the trial.
Investigators say that Griffin, who worked as a public safety officerin Monroe, has admitted violating police rules bystopping motorists while he was off duty.Just eight days after Mrs. Medlin's body was found, Monroe Public Safetysuspended Griffin without pay; oneinfraction was patrolling off duty the night Mrs. Medlin disappeared.
Investigators say Griffin told them that ``he made a couple of trafficstops ... white females in their 30s. He callednone of the stops in on the radio, he gave both individuals verbalwarnings, wrote no traffic citations ... and doesnot recall the name of either person stopped.''
The district attorney's office has consistently refused to discuss any ofthe evidence or strategy for the trial. Defense attorneys also havedeclined interviews.
But in court motions, Griffin's defense lawyer, Harold Bender ofCharlotte, has called the state's evidence weakand twice asked the court to set bail.
Both requests were denied.
Motive, a crucial question, also remains a mystery.
Mrs. Medlin's family members say they're certain she didn't know therookie police officer. Investigators have said privately they're convincedthe two had no friendship or romantic relationship.
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