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PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A high-profile murder trial in Putnam County is underway Tuesday.
The trial of Mark Wilson Jr., who is accused of killing two young boys in 2020, was delayed Monday because of an issue with the jury, but shortly after 6 p.m., a jury was selected. It is unclear what the issue with the jury was, but jury selection for the trial began last week and led to another day.
In August 2020, Tayten Baker, 14, and his 12-year-old brother Robert Baker were stabbed and bludgeoned to death in their home in Melrose. Wilson, who was 30 at the time, is accused of using a hammer and a knife found at the scene to kill the brothers.
WATCH LIVE: Trial begins in case of man accused of murdering Putnam County boys
Mark, the boys’ aunt’s boyfriend who had been staying in a shed on the property, was arrested and later indicted on two counts of first-degree murder.
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According to an arrest report, Wilson admitted to killing the two boys during a phone call that had been secretly recorded by investigators. Wilson said he felt the boy’s family was trying to put “stress” on his family by reporting them to the Department of Children and Family Services. It is unclear as to why the Baker family called DCF.
The Sheriff’s Office also said Wilson told a witness he had conspired with his girlfriend to kill the boys’ family. However, she was never charged, and a family member said she had nothing to do with the planning of the murders.
Wilson, now 32, offered to plead guilty in the case, but prosecutors are determined to seek the death penalty if Wilson is convicted.
The judge said Monday that the trial is expected to last all week and they will be off next week with the possibility of the trial picking back up Oct. 24.
