Jury selection goes into second day as Tucker trial begins

POMEROY, Ohio – Jury selection continued through the day as the trial begins for former corrections and probation officer Larry Tucker.

Tucker is charged with 32 counts involving 13 alleged victims in two cases that have been joined for the trial. Of the 13 counts, many carry specifications from the Grand Jury concerning the charges being sexually motivated or sexual predator charges. In the latest round of charges, Tucker faces four charges including Kidnapping, Attempted Sexual Battery and Gross Sexual Imposition. Tucker had previously been charged, arraigned and awaiting trial for 28 counts with 27 being felony charges along with one misdemeanor. Tucker was charged with the following: six counts of Kidnapping, all felonies of the first degree; six counts of Sexual Battery, all felonies of the third degree; five counts of Gross Sexual Imposition, all felonies of the fourth degree; five counts of Attempted Sexual Battery, all felonies of the fourth degree; four counts of Attempted Compelling Prostitution, all felonies of the fourth degree; one count of Theft in Office, a felony of the fifth degree; and one count of Soliciting, a misdemeanor of the third degree. Tucker entered a not guilty plea to each count.

After a long day of jury selection on Monday, April 22, 2019 with the jury selection set to continue on Tuesday. Numerous witnesses are expected to be called and vetting the jury has taken some time.

Angela Canepa, special prosecutor for this case from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is representing the state. Tucker is represented by Kirk Allen McVay. Both Canepa and McVey questioned the potential jurors at length. Judge Linton D. Lewis, Jr. is presiding over the trial.

“We need to have fair and impartial jurors,” Canepa said while questioning the jurors and she explained the process.

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