DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — Mikel Brady walked into a Dare County courtroom on Monday with his life hanging in the balance.
Brady is one of four men charged in connection to the deadly failed prison break at Pasquotank County Correctional Institution, and Brady is accused of playing a key role.
All are facing the death penalty.
Four prison employees died as a result of the attempted prison escape back in October 2017. The Medical Examiner’s autopsy report revealed the victims died from being hit or stabbed.
Prosecutors say Brady along with three other inmates started a fire and attacked several prison guards.
Brady’s attorneys asked the judge to take the death penalty off the table, but the judge denied that motion back in June.
Monday was jury selection.
Prosecutors asked jurors if they’ve heard about this case and nearly all raised their hands. Many of them said it would be a struggle to be impartial in this case.
600 potential jurors were brought in to find a fair jury. Jury selection could take a week, and the trial is expected to last three weeks.
Prosecutors are trying Brady’s case in Dare County, nearly two years to the day after the attack. His attorney requested the move over the summer, saying too many people in Pasquotank were familiar with the case.