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Hernando Today

'Walker' Attackers' Trial Lacks Impartial Jurors

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: February 9, 2009

Updated: 02/09/2009 12:31 pm

The trial of two men accused of beating a man popularly known as "The Walker" will likely be moved to Lake County for lack of an impartial jury.

The trials of Jamie Tyson, 18, and Michael Vann, 24, were to begin today, but of the 44 jurors that showed up for duty Monday morning, 20 jurors said they had already decided a verdict, according to Circuit Judge Stephen Rushing.

With both the defense and prosecution allowed 10 chances to preemptively strike a juror from the pool — leaving a potential four jurors — both sides agreed to a change of venue, Rushing said.

Tyson and Vann are linked to the brutal beating of John Kelly, who has walked Hernando County's roadways for more than a decade. Kelly was attacked the night of Sept. 19, 2007, outside the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative office on State Road 50 and beaten with sticks and metal rebar. His assailants robbed him of $100, investigators say.

The attack sparked outrage from the community and an outpouring of contributions to help the family. The publicity surrounding the case followed a plea bargain made by a third suspect, Anthony Hawkins, and the motions and continuances that have delayed the trials of the remaining suspects.

Rushing estimated the trials would be scheduled in Lake County within 30 to 45 days.

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