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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:44 AM Bowling trial opening statements expected today By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer GREENVILLE - Four men and eight women were seated Tuesday for the jury in the murder case of Mark Bowling, the 37-year-old former funeral director accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, Julie Bowling. Selection for the alternates for the jury had not been completed as of Tuesday, and was expected to continue today, with opening arguments from defense attorneys and prosecutors to follow. During the course of the jury selection Monday and Tuesday, potential jurors and alternates were questioned by prosecutors and defense attorneys. On Tuesday, defense attorneys and prosecutors continued to ask jurors if they had committed a crime, whether they were familiar with the case through media coverage and other questions. Defense attorneys asked whether jurors would be comfortable looking at photographic evidence that could be potentially mentally distressing. They were also asked to look through lengthy lists of potential witnesses to see if they recognized anyone from the lists. One witness was removed from the jury after she said she had a relative who was a victim of a crime. Another was removed after saying he could not accept that a defendant did not have to prove innocence. Nash County Superior Court Judge Quentin Sumner and defense attorney urged jurors to ignore previous media coverage of Bowling's arrest leading up to the trial. They also told jurors to not discuss the case except with other jurors during scheduled deliberations. Sumner moved the trial from Nashville to Greenville because of extensive pretrial publicity. Sumner told the jurors that "the facts of this trial will be developed in this courtroom." Bowling, 37, the former owner of Bowling Funerals and Cremations in Rocky Mount is accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife, Julie, who was gunned down in their River Glenn home Dec. 8, 2006. Bowling is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder and accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. He and his alleged mistress, Rose Deloris Parker Vincent, 27, of Middlesex, were arrested the next day and charged with first-degree murder. Vincent pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder on Aug. 21, which may have spared her the death penalty, court records indicate. Bowling was also spared the death penalty Aug. 29 when prosecutors announced they would not seek it. If convicted, he faces life in prison. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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