SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County man accused of plotting to lure children to a home, rape them and then kill them and their families went on trial on child pornography charges Monday.
Shawn Thomas, 30, was arrested last summer after authorities said they received a tip that he was planning the rapes and slayings.
Investigators said that in the process of investigating the allegations against Thomas, they found child pornography on his computer, and those charges are the basis for the current trial.
On Monday, attorneys asked prospective jurors if they know law enforcement offices, how good they are with computers and if they could set aside thoughts about their relationships with their children and grandchildren for the trial.
"The law requires that the state has the burden of proof. In other words, someone is presumed innocent, and they have to keep presenting evidence until there is no reasonable doubt in your mind," defense attorney Al Parsons told prospective jurors.
Slideshow: Evidence in alleged murder-rape plot case
Audio: FDLE interview with Thomas' former roommate
The six-person jury was selected Monday, and after brief opening statements jurors heard from three witnesses.
Those witnesses were all agents who were on the cybercrimes task force who arrested Thomas.
Prosecutors said they will be able to prove that Thomas downloaded child pornography on his computer.
Investigators said they found 60 images of child pornography on his laptop computer, and said some of the images showed children younger than 5 years old involved in sexual acts.
Witnesses also described a computer network Thomas was allegedly using to prevent anyone from tracking down the source of the pornography.
Defense attorneys said the state won't be able to prove that the child pornography belonged to Thomas.
His attorneys said no fingerprints or DNA were collected at the scene, and there were other people in the house when investigators searched it.
The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning.
There is no trial date set for Thomas on the charges related to the accusations that he intended to rape children and kill their families.
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