BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Jury selection began Monday in the trial for a Brevard County teacher accused of being at an alcohol-fueled house party with that at least 100 students attended.
Karly Anderson is the teacher who police said was at the January house party that got out of control.
In court, the judge and attorneys were challenged with seating an impartial jury given how much attention the story has gotten.
[Watch video below to see News 6 report]
A potential juror was dismissed after telling Judge Kim Musselman he watched police body camera video and felt he wouldn’t be able to be fair.
“I believe I have an opinion that she was under the influence,” he said.
Police said the party took place at the home of Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, the former principal of Roosevelt Elementary, where Anderson was also a third-grade teacher.
Police estimated about 100 teenagers from the ages of 13 to 17 were at the party and said many of them were drinking alcohol.
Officials said on the night of the party, one child was on the lawn experiencing an alcohol-related medical event. They said the teen was so intoxicated that they had to be treated by Brevard County Fire Rescue.
Authorities also said a traffic stop was conducted near the home and resulted in a juvenile arrest for DUI.
Initially, police recommended charges for both women. Anderson’s charges included felony child neglect without great bodily harm and two misdemeanor charges.
But in April, the Brevard County School District told News 6 that Anderson was cleared of felony charges by the state attorney and said she was also cleared by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
“The State Attorney cleared Karly Anderson of the felony charges. Department of Children and Family Services cleared Ms. Anderson as well. She’s a certified teacher and as of today she’s been placed by the district back into a classroom,” the district said in a statement.
Anderson took a position back in the classroom at Saturn Elementary, but once body camera video was released showing Anderson cursing at first responders, the district placed her on leave on April 15.
At that time, News 6 spoke to the Brevard County School District Vice Chair Matt Susin, who said the body camera video was news to them as well.
“Had no idea,” Susin said back in April. “I didn’t get to see the actual footage until late last night. Some of the news channels had put it out, I watched a little bit of it and then immediately this morning went into full action.”
About two weeks later, on April 30, Anderson was in a courtroom while her attorneys attempted to have her case thrown out.
The state countered with its own motion to strike and said the defense failed to show there were no facts to dispute.
The judge ultimately sided with the state.
Anderson was given the opportunity to take a plea deal, officials said. Details of the offer were not made public.
The judge said testimony will start Tuesday and the trial shouldn’t last longer than Wednesday.
State attorneys said they’ll call on witnesses including Brevard County Fire Rescue who tried helping the intoxicated teen as police said Anderson berated them.