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Jury selection resumes in trial of man who allegedly threatened Obama

ORLANDO, Fla. — It may be harder than expected to seat a jury for the trial of a Brevard County man accused of threatening to kill President Barack Obama.

Jury selection began Monday for Christopher Castillo's trial, but the federal court ran through its pool of potential jurors and was forced to resume selection on Tuesday.

Potential jurors were asked questions about ties to law enforcement, but many of the questions focused specifically on how they felt about the Secret Service, Obama and Obama's health care plan.

The court was apparently not satisfied with all the answers and ultimately could not find enough jurors Monday to begin Castillo's trial.

According to authorities, the threats started as a posting on Facebook, but Castillo's father said his son didn't mean any of it and that Castillo would never harm Obama.

In November when Castillo was arrested, Channel 9's Jeff Deal asked him, "Christopher, do you really plan to kill the president? Did you mean all those things you said about the president?"

Castillo didn't respond.

According to federal agents, Castillo had plenty to say on Facebook.

He allegedly posted, "That's the last straw; if he gets re-elected I'm going to hunt him down and kill him [and] watch the life disappear from his eyes."

Agents said they asked Castillo what he would do if the president was standing in front of him.

They said Castillo replied that he would "slap him and beat the (expletive) out of him."

Defense on Monday hinted that they plan to call character witness like Castillo's wife to say he isn't a violent person.

The judge said he hope to have enough jurors by mid-morning Tuesday so they can start trial.