WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — WPTV is in the courtroom for day two of jury selection in the trial of Semmie Williams Jr., the man accused of killing 14-year-old Ryan Rogers in November 2021.
WATCH: Roughly 40 jurors remain after second day of jury selection
WPTV's Kayla McDermott says jury selection got off to a slow start on Monday, as they had to wait for four jurors to arrive.
The state said they will be bringing in roughly 22 witnesses, including Rogers' family members.
Potential jurors were questioned today by Judge Cymonie S. Rowe, the prosecution and defense, to make sure they understand that the state does not need to prove that Rogers' murder was planned, or prove a motive — just that the defendant committed the act.
One juror said they would want the defense to explain the DNA evidence even though several other jurors disagreed.
Another said they want to know about the state's handling of DNA and witnesses, and how they present the information.
Another potential juror said they didn't feel qualified to make decisions on someone’s life. Judge Rowe argued they are the best option because they know nothing about the case. The juror said they want to try to remain unbiased, but based off hearing DNA evidence they feel the trial is already going one way.
Rogers was riding his bike near his home in Palm Beach Gardens in 2021 when police said he was randomly attacked and stabbed to death by Williams, who had no ties to the community or the teen.
Jury selection in the case started on Friday, when Williams, who is facing a first-degree murder charge, changed his insanity plea to not guilty. The state attorney's office argued that revoking the insanity plea would make any defense for mental illness void moving forward.
WATCH: Jury selection begins for suspect accused of killing teen in 2021
Williams also asked the judge if he could fire his legal representation, but ultimately decided to keep them for the trial. On Monday, he told the judge he thought his legal team was "doing pretty good."
At the end of day two, roughly 40 jurors remain. The defense will resume questioning of the jurors Tuesday morning, and jury selection should be wrapped up by the afternoon.
