CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Six jurors have been seated in the trial of ex-Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels.
Two-hundred potential jurors showed up to the Clay County Courthouse Monday for jury selection in Daniels' trial. That group was narrowed down to six jurors and two alternates. According to a spokesperson for the clerk's office, 300 jury summonses were sent.
The seated jurors include four white women and two Black men. There is also a white man and white female included as alternates.
Daniels is facing several charges, including tampering with evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence and five counts of lying to law enforcement. The charges stem from Daniels instructing his deputies to arrest his mistress, Cierra Smith, in 2019 for allegedly stalking Daniels, according to an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Smith was handcuffed, but never booked in the jail. Daniels admitted to having an affair with his former subordinate for several years that started when he was the director of the Duval County Jail. Smith was a correctional officer at the time. The affair continued after Daniels became the sheriff of Clay County.
Daniels has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Judge Lee Smith from St. Johns County is presiding over the case, which is taking place in Clay County. All of the judges in Clay County recused themselves.
Former Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams is on the list of potential witnesses for the trial. He was the sheriff in Jacksonville at the time of the investigation.
Most people had heard about the case on the news, but still said they didn't know much about it and felt they could be fair. The jurors who said they had an opinion and could not be fair were struck.
One woman was an attorney. The judge followed up with her, however, she ended up getting removed when she said she was disappointed learning about the case. At this, Daniels looked up at her and gave a nod.
Daniels appeared calm and comfortable in the courtroom Monday. He paid close attention to the potential jurors' answers and took notes at times. Daniels also shook his head no when prosecutors asked potential jurors if they thought someone deserved special treatment because of his or her position.
One of the potential jurors who was struck works in 911 dispatch for Clay County. She said when Daniels was arrested, people from across the country called and said horrible things about them personally, and about the agency. She said she felt threatened and thought about quitting.
The FDLE investigation found Daniels and Smith had exchanged sexually explicit messages, videos and images and that Daniels had sent Smith $30,000 worth of Cash App transfers, according to documents.
Opening statements begin Tuesday morning at 8:45 a.m.