Jury Selection Underway In NSU Professor's Murder Trial
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- Jury selection is under way in the trial of a man accused of murdering a well-known Nova Southeastern University professor.
Randy Tundidor Sr. is charged with the murder of Joseph Morrissey. who was Tundidor's landlord.
Tundidor allegedly planned the attack because he was about to be evicted from the home he rented from Morrissey, according to prosecutors.
The prosecution also has a key witness in the case, Tundidor's son Randy Jr., who was with his dad when the crime took place.
Randy Jr. agreed to testify for the prosecution after he pleaded guilty to his role in the crime. In exchange, the younger Tundidor will not face the death penalty.
According to Randy Jr., he and his father broke into the Morrissey's home in April 2010, forced Morrissey and his wife Linda to drive to a nearby ATM and withdraw money, then returned to the home where they tied up Linda and stabbed Morrissey to death.
They are also accused of setting a fire in the home before they left. Morrissey's wife was able to escape after the couple's five year old son, who had been a sleep in his room, brought his mother a pair of scissors which allowed her to cut through her bonds.
Tundidor Jr. faces up to life in prison when he's sentenced.
Tundidor Sr., charged with murder, armed robbery, armed kidnapping, home invasion robbery and arson, could be sent to death row.
