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Published: 2012-05-04 16:52:00
Updated: 2012-05-04 16:59:25

Posted: May 4, 2012

Twelfth juror selected in Taft murder case

Kathy Taft

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Kathy Taft
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Raleigh, N.C. — A twelfth juror was seated Friday afternoon in the murder trial of Jason Williford, a Raleigh man accused of killing state school board member Kathy Taft in March 2010.

Jury selection has been slow in the first-degree murder trial. Friday marked the end of the fourth week. At least two alternates are still needed.

Taft, who was appointed to the State Board of Education in 1995 by Gov. Jim Hunt, was recovering from surgery when she was attacked on March 6, 2010. The 62-year-old died three days later.

Opening statements and testimony could begin next week. Williford, 32, could face the death penalty, if he's convicted of first-degree murder.

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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