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Sep 8, 2008 6:33 pm US/Eastern

Jury Selection Underway In Gough Murder Case

Michael Hernandez' Trial Moved To Orlando Due To Intense Media Coverage

He's Pleaded Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity

MIAMI (CBS4) ― Jury selection is underway in the trial of South Florida teenager, Michael Hernandez, who is accused of killing his 14-year-old friend in a middle school bathroom.

The high-profile trial is not taking place in Miami; it's taking place in Orlando. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge John Schlesinger decided to transfer Michael Hernandez's trial from Miami because of relentless media coverage.

Judge Schlesinger heard several pretrial motions early Monday before bringing in the first panel of 50 potential jurors.

The 18-year-old was 14 at the time of the murder. He faces life in prison if convicted of the 2004 killing of Jaime Gough in the bathroom of Southwood Middle School. Gough was stabbed more than 40 times.

A journal later recovered by police showed that Hernandez carefully planned the slaying and had a "hit list" that included another student and his older sister.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty because of insanity.

Lawyers for Hernandez turned down a plea deal offered by prosecutors last week which would have given Hernandez a 40-year prison term. The attorney's turned down the offer because they were seeking a prison term of no more than 30-years.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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