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Video shows accused killer leaving Publix where slain caregiver's car was left, prosecutors say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A power outage at the Orange County courthouse is delaying testimony in the case of Scott Nelson, the man accused of kidnapping and killing a Winter Park caregiver in 2017.

The Orlando Utilities Commission said Tuesday's outage lasted 20 minutes and that as of 12:15 p.m. the power had been restored. They said no cause for the outage has been determined.

Before the power went out just before noon, prosecutors showed surveillance footage of Nelson inside the Publix in Colonialtown where Jennifer Fulford’s car was found. A bus driver then testified that Nelson walked across the street and boarded her bus.

Investigators say Nelson kidnapped Fulford from the Winter Park home where she was working, killed her and dumped her body in the woods. He wrapped her body in duct tape and tied her wrists and ankles, investigators said.

“Her ankles were bound together with duct tape. Her wrists were bound together behind her with a zip tie. When they turned her over to transport her to the medical examiner’s office, they saw that she had duct tape wrapped around her entire head,” prosecutor Kelly Hicks said Monday.

The medical examiner took the stand Tuesday, and is expected to show photos of Fulford’s body when testimony resumes after the power outage. The judge has warned that the photos will be difficult to look at.

Footage of Nelson’s interview with police could also be shown Tuesday afternoon if or when testimony continues.

On Monday, the first day of the trial, nearly a dozen witnesses were called to the stand to testify, including Fulford's husband, her boss and a woman who was supposed to visit the home while Nelson was allegedly inside.

Her boss said Fulford did not pick up his children when she was scheduled to do so, which was unlike her.

Prosecutors said they believe Nelson prevented her from doing so.

Records show that while in prison Nelson wrote a letter in which he complained about a lack of food.

Officials said he offered to confess to other robberies and unsolved murders in exchange for more food, a private cell and a bottom bunk bed.

Defense attorneys said he thought police would help get him better conditions on the inside, and that's why he talked about Fulford's alleged murder and helped police locate a knife.

Defense attorneys unsuccessfully fought to get the confession thrown out of court. Prosecutors said he was never promised anything and was read his rights.

If convicted, Nelson could face the death penalty.

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