Jury selection continues in Fast murder case

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BRADENTON - Attorneys have weeded out potential jurors who have said media coverage caused them to make up their minds as to the guilt of Thomas Fast, on trial this week in the killing of his stepmother Susan Fast.

Now attorneys are polling more than 50 remaining potential jurors on a second day of jury selection. Assistant State Attorney Art Brown has quizzed potential jurors about whether they can be fair and impartial when someone is charged with murder.

Brown also has asked jurors if they have ever been convicted of a crime and sought background on their experiences with law enforcement.

Jury selection is expected to continue into the afternoon with opening statements to follow. Fast is accused of killing and dismembering his stepmother in June 2007. Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies found her body parts stuffed in garbage bags in a storm drain at a Lakewood Ranch shopping plaza.

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