LOS ANGELES. August 16 (Itar-Tass) – Trial over U.S. citizen Jessica Beagley, who is accused of cruelty towards the underage Daniil Bukharov she adopted in Russia, is due to begin Tuesday in Anchorage, Alaska.
At a brief court session Monday morning, the judge asked the last time if the prosecution and the defense were ready for hearing the case on merits on the courtroom.
Lawyer William Ingaldson who defends the adoptive mother said the position of the defense has not changed.
He believes one day will be enough to select a jury panel and the whole trial will likely take just one week.
The jury will consist of six people who are selected randomly from among the residents of Anchorage with the right to franchise.
Both the prosecution and the defense have the power to turn down a candidate for the jury if they develop doubts about his or her impartiality.
The office of the Anchorage Attorney attaches significance to the composition of the jury, as the jurors will be expected to pass a unanimous verdict.
If they fail to do it, the trial will have to be held anew and other jurors will be selected, Ingaldson said.
A video clip showing Jessica Beagley pour cold water on her adopted son Daniil and make him wash his mouth with a hot sauce as a measure of ‘fostering’ was uploaded in the Internet in October 2010.
It was established later that the boy had been adopted by U.S. citizens in the Russian Far-Eastern city of Magadan.
Apart from Daniil and his twin brother the Beagley family who are the adepts of the Mormon faith are raising another four children.
Alaska laws classify the cruel treatment of children as a minor offense. The people found guilty of them face twelve months in jail and a penalty of up to $ 10,000.