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Jury Questioning Begins In Partin Trial

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By Todd Leskanic, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 1, 2007

Previous Coverage: Suspect Called Himself A 'Dead Man'

NEW PORT RICHEY - Attorneys in the first-degree murder trial of Phillup Partin have begun questioning the first panel of 40 prospective jurors.

Twelve jurors and two or three alternates will be chosen to hear the case. Circuit Judge William Webb has said he wants to seat a jury today, even if it requires working into the evening.

Phillup Partin

Partin, 42, is accused in the 2002 death of 16-year-old Joshan Asbrook of New Port Richey. He faces the death penalty if found guilty of premeditated murder. Partin, who is represented by attorneys Bill Bennett and Bjorn Brunvand, has pleaded not guilty.

Assistant State Attorneys Michael Halkitis and Michael Kenny will prosecute the case. The trial could last as long as two weeks, Webb said.

Workers discovered Ashbrook's body beside Shady Hills Road on Aug. 1, 2002. Her throat had been slit and her neck broken.

A Pasco County grand jury indicted Partin on a first-degree murder charge in September 2003. Authorities in Fayetteville, N.C., arrested him the following month.

Joshan Ashbrook

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (352) 521-3156 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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