HARRISBURG,PA- The jury selection began for the rape case of Dale Saunders in Dauphin County courthouse.
Dale Saunders was charged with crimes in Feb 2016. Dale Saunders was charged with unlawful contact with minor, corruption of minor and molestation of minor.
Judge Evans gave a big introduction speech explaining to the jury how does the trial work and how a person is innocent until proven guilty. He just wanted to make sure the jury wasn't going to bias in their decision making.
The jury started off with approximately 30 individuals, leading with more males than females and the final amount of juries was 14. The final jury had 12 males and 2 females on it.
They asked questions such as, "have you been rape or sexually assaulted or knows anyone who has, please stand up."
The other individuals that was selected for the final jury claimed that they would not make a decision until the evidence was shown to them. Which made them great participants for the case, Judge Evans said.
In December 2012, J.P. a seven-year- old girl claimed to be sexual assaulted by her moms ex-boyfriend Dale Saunders a mid 30 year old man. J.P.
However did not report this incident until she was 10 years old.
She reported in 2015 that Saunders touched her vaginal area on top of her clothing. Although, J.P's mom wasn't the first one who knew about this situation.
Dale Saunders pleads not guilty.
J.P. mother was extremely devastated when she heard the news and even more sad when her daughter's doctor told her what her daughter had experienced. J.P decided to confess what she went through with Saunders to her doctor and the doctor reported it to her mom.
Although, the mom and Dale Saunders had broken up, J.P. and her son was still a big fan of him and they would go over to his house and that's when the incident happened.
Judge Evans said to the jury; "I am the judge of this courtroom but you guys are the judge of this case and with that being said, the jury is the one with the ultimate power." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3VpCuVFWSc