By Jessica Taloney Reporter
Published: Mon, November 05, 2007 - 6:32 pm
Last Updated: Mon, November 05, 2007 - 6:35 pm
Last Updated: Mon, November 05, 2007 - 6:35 pm
Jessica Taloney
It took a Conecuh County court more than five hours to find 12 jurors and two alternates who had not already made up their mind in the widely publicized case. Opening statements began Monday afternoon.
"Hopefully when the evidence comes out people will understand why it's taking so long to get to trial," said District Attorney Tommy Chapman.
The defendant, 59-year-old Jack Wiley has been in jail since his arrested in January 2006.
Wiley was arrested after a Georgia woman saw him and the three year old child in a convenience store and became suspicious. Tracie Lee Dean of Atlanta alerted authorities and pushed them to investigate the case. She has been hailed a hero in the national media and was even featured on the Oprah Winfrey show. Dean will be the first witness to testify in the case.
Also taking the stand this week will be the children's mother, Glenna Faye Cavender, who confessed last summer to knowing about the sexual abuse and not doing anything to stop it. She is currently serving a ten year prison sentence.
"Anybody who would abuse a child needs help," said Avalon Jackson, one of many people in Conecuh County who are glad to finally see this case go to trial.
"The ones that done this to the kids, they should give them to me," said Ella Woods.
The children have been in foster care since 2006.
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