SANFORD, Fla. — Jury selection continues Wednesday in the Grant Amato trial.

Some 100 potential jurors were called in Tuesday, who is accused of killing his parents and brother in their Chuluota home in January.

 About two-thirds of the potential jurors were told to return on Wednesday.

Jury selection, which started Monday at the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford, was expected to take about a week.

Now, the state and defense teams will spend this week identifying 12 jurors and three alternates before the state begins presenting its case.

The focus in questioning on Tuesday turned to whether each potential juror would be willing to recommend the death penalty if Amato was found guilty.

Judge Jessica J. Recksiedler hoped to get through about a third of the courtroom Tuesday, but it was difficult early on to find jurors willing to take on that responsibility.

More jurors admitted they were more comfortable issuing a life sentence instead.

Media Coverage and the Jury

On Monday, the judge asked the potential jurors a very important question: "Do any of you know anything about the case, whether personally, by rumor, by reading, or by hearing about it in the news media, television, social media, or elsewhere, or recognize it in any manner?" 

Forty potential jurors — 19 men and 21 women — stood up and informed the courtroom they do have prior knowledge of this case.

Assistant State Attorney Stewart Stone and Grant Amato’s public defender, Jeff Dowdy, then found themselves asking potential jurors whether they have formed an opinion on the case or whether they have already made a decision.

Documents previously released in the case indicate that Amato was fighting with his parents after allegedly stealing $200,000 to interact with an online call girl from Bulgaria. Amato checked into a rehab facility for sex addiction, but the document says his father later caught him trying to contact the woman, and he kicked Amato out of the house.

About half of the initial jurors who began the day who said they didn't have any type of conflict with the case were sent home Monday morning and were told they would be back later in the week.

At least two potential jurors were dismissed.

Amato's attorneys say the prosecution has not produced any physical evidence linking him to the murders. Amato has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Opening statements could possibly begin Friday, but Monday is more likely. The state says it will need about a week to present its case, and the defense says it will need a day, because they plan to call a witness.