JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- What is expected to be three days of court proceedings started Thursday at the new Duval County Courthouse to determine if evidence will be suppressed in both the murder and sexual battery trials of 13-year-old Cristian Fernandez.
Arguments from both the state and Fernandez's defense team will be presented before Judge Mallory Cooper. Cooper is expected to rule whether or not to allow statements made by Fernandez and video tapes of his alleged confession. The defense team for Fernandez filed to motion to suppress.
Thursday media and the public were asked to leave the courtroom so the judge could listen to the recordings and watch the tapes to make a determination. The reason they are asking everyone to leave the courtroom is in an effort to keep from tainting a potential jury pool.
The video recordings and stateents made by Fernandez in question detail his alleged confession. Defense attorneys filed the motion to suppress in an attempt to keep his alleged confession from being admissible as evidence.
The prosecution argues that because Fernandez's mother was originally believed to be the suspect he was questioned only as a witness.
First Coast News