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This story originally appeared February 8, 2007
| Friday, Feb 16 2007 12:51 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Feb 16 2007 12:51 PM
Opening statements in Vincent Brothers' trial are scheduled to begin in two weeks, the judge in the case said Wednesday.
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Kern County Superior Court Judge Michael Bush wanted to start the trial earlier but needs to find more jurors who are qualified and able to sit on a three-month death penalty case.
The judge also said he would likely not allow media agencies to air the trial live over their Web sites. Bush fears a juror could accidentally get caught on video.
Deputy District Attorney Lisa Green asked Bush to not allow the taping of certain witnesses. The judge said he would make these decision on an individual basis.
Defense attorney Anthony Bryan said he doesn't want any of the trial on video, but the judge said he has never heard that objection before and would only make exceptions for individual witnesses.
Brothers, a former vice principal, is accused of killing his wife, Joanie Harper; their three children, Marques, Lyndsey and Marshall; and Joanie Harper's mother, Earnestine.
Brothers has pleaded not guilty.
His family was found dead on July 8, 2003, and he was arrested in April 2004 on suspicion of committing the murders.
Jury selection is expected to last the next two weeks.