Jury selection begins for AJ Gonzalez trial

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Jury selection is underway in a set of hearings that could determine whether or not to release convicted child killer, Adrian Gonzalez.

AJ Gonzalez made an appearance in the courtroom where more than 22 people were dismissed from participating in the hearings happening in the near future.

Those who are still around by the end of the selection process will decide if Gonzalez should be released on parole.

Gonzalez was convicted of killing and raping Maddy Middleton. The crime was committed when he was a juvenile, setting up this unique set of hearings for his parole.

The judge told jurors today the hearings aren't to determine the guilt or innocence of Gonzalez, but to determine if he's a threat to the community.

"We are just hopeful that the jury will, after hearing the testimony, decide that she is not, rehabilitated and will not be eligible for release," Christine Marez Tannery Arts resident said. "I know that it will come up again in two years, you know, we'll fight again in two years. We're definitely hoping that the the jury will, after hearing all the testimony, determined the same way the judge determined, which was that he's not ready for release."

The trial has 30 days to make a jury selection. Potential jurors signed papers for the judge to decide and grant their hardship and whether they will be a potential juror for this trial.

August 26th at 10:00am they will be examining and narrowing down to pick the jurors.