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Woman dismissed from jury describes being in the courtroom with Donald Smith

Jury selection started Monday with a pool of 300. The potential jurors did not see crime scene photos or other evidence, but attorneys did hold up a photograph of Perrywinkle taken shortly before she died.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Accused murderer Donald Smith, sat silent through five days of jury selection, according to Cathy Weirich who was in the jury pool, but not chosen to serve during the trial on Friday.

If convicted of the 2013 kidnapping, rape and murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle, he could face the death penalty. Smith pleaded not guilty.

"I just answered the questions that were asked of me, as honestly as I could," Weirich said. "I felt like in order for him to get a fair trial, the people who were making the decision as to who was going to serve on the jury should really know the truth about us."

Jury selection started Monday with a pool of 300. The potential jurors did not see crime scene photos or other evidence, but attorneys did hold up a photograph of Perrywinkle taken shortly before she died.

"Very sad for her family," Weirich said. "It's not easy to lose a child."

Attorneys asked the potential jurors to rank on a scale from 1 to 5 how strongly they support the death penalty, Weirich said.

She responded with a "1."

"Whether you're a child or an adult and someone takes your life, that's a very valuable thing they've taken from you," Weirich said.

On Friday, she found out she would not be in the jury. Those that were chosen ranked their support for the death penalty 2.5 or 3.

The jury is made up of 12 women and 4 men, who will decide the verdict and if necessary the sentence.

Smith's trial begins at the Duval County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Monday. First Coast News will be live streaming the hearing.

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