ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The jury in the wrongful death trial of former University of Central Florida football player Ereck Plancher toured the practice facility on Monday morning where Plancher collapsed and died.
Plancher died after a conditioning workout at the Nicholson Fieldhouse on March 18, 2008.
The tour lasted less than 30 minutes. Eyewitnesses said the jury was in and out very quickly. The trial resumed shortly after, inside the courtroom at 11a.m. Monday.
Orange County deputies escorted the jurors on a bus to the UCF complex on Monday, and Judge Robert Evans was with the group as they walked through the sports complex.
Plancher's parents are suing the UCF Athletics Association for negligence and said they could have done more to save their son's life. The civil trial started two weeks ago, and after more than a dozen witnesses, including players and head coach George O'Leary, the plaintiffs are expected to rest their case on Monday.
On Monday, recorded video testimony from May of former UCF football player Nate Tice was shown to the jury. Tice described the tough workout and seeing Plancher the day he collapsed.
"I remember looking at Ereck because he was no more than two feet away from me, I go how you doing? He looked at me. He didn't say a word," said Tice.
Former UCF football players have testified throughout the trial that the field house was extremely hot, especially on the day that Plancher died. Eyewitnesses said on Monday that the field house wasn't hot and the fans were running.
The trial is expected to continue on Monday afternoon and wrap up later in the week.
Previous Stories: June 24, 2011: Doctor Testifies In UCF Player's Death Trial June 24, 2011: Trainer Testifies In UCF Wrongful Death Trial June 23, 2011: Coach Testifies In UCF Player's Death Trial June 23, 2011: UCF Coach O'Leary Takes The Stand In Plancher Trial June 22, 2011: Coach In UCF Player's Death Case In Court June 22, 2011: Med. Examiner Testifies In UCF Wrongful Death Trial June 21, 2011: UCF Trial Judge Warns Attorneys Of Possible Sanctions June 21, 2011: Judge Scolds Lawyers In UCF Player Death Trial June 20, 2011: Ex-UCF Player Testifies O'Leary Withheld Water June 20, 2011: Jury To See Complex Where UCF Player Died June 17, 2011: UCF Football Player Testifies In Wrongful Death Case June 17, 2011: Teammate Testifies In UCF Football Player's Death Trial June 16, 2011: Testimony Begins In UCF Athlete's Death Trial June 15, 2011: Opening Statements Begin In Football Player's Death Trial June 14, 2011: Jury Selection Continues In Plancher Trial June 13, 2011: Trial Over UCF Football Player's Death Begins
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