Attorneys will begin selecting jurors Tuesday in an Orange County murderer’s resentencing trial.
In 2015, Bessman Okafor was convicted of killing 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar three years earlier.
Changes in state law reversed his initial death sentence, but now it’s back in play.
The latest resentencing ended in a mistrial.
Last October, Okafor’s resentencing trial took an unexpected turn.
Juror Kayla De Pena broke the judge’s orders by saying she discussed the case with a friend outside the courtroom.
Watch: Judge hits juror who lied, caused mistrial with max sentence
This mistake caused chaos. The trial was declared a mistrial, costing taxpayers.
De Pena admitted she lied due to mental health struggles and financial pressure.
Read: Teen shot while sitting on park bench in Volusia County, deputies say
Despite her pleas, De Pena was sentenced to 179 days in jail and fined $500.
She’s now serving her sentence in the same jail where Okafor awaits his second resentencing trial.
See more in the video above.
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