Potential jurors gather for Cutts trial

Prospective jurors called for the trial of Bobby L. Cutts Jr. answered questionnaires on the death penalty and pretrial publicity Tuesday morning.

The pool of 113 was the first of three groups. The other groups are scheduled to come to court today and Thursday.

Cell phones and laptop computers are banned from the Stark County Courthouse on days that prospective jurors are there.

Cutts, 30, of Plain Township, waived his right to attend the questionnaire proceedings.

He is accused of killing Jessie M. Davis, 26, of Lake Township and her unborn daughter in June. Opening statements in his trial are scheduled for Feb. 4.

The former Canton police officer is charged with three counts of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, gross abuse of a corpse and endangering children. One of the murder charges is tied to the death of Davis; the remaining two involve her child.

If convicted of aggravated murder, he faces a possible death sentence. He has pleaded not guilty.

Canton Repository