Rose Hill Murder Trial Begins

The trial of a Rose Hill teen accused of murder began this morning with jury selection and the testimony of the first officer to respond to the victim's death.

The victim in the murder trial, Wyatt Campbell, 18, died on October 14, 2010, from 12 stab wounds he received that night.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with second degree murder in the crime. It is Patch policy not to name minors accused of crimes.

Jury selection in the trial began at 10 a.m., producing a jury of six women and seven men (one juror, without their knowledge, has been selected as an alternate).

During jury selection potential jurors were asked, among other questions, whether they had any personal connection to homicide and whether they would consider the testimony of a convicted felon less credible because of the convictions. 

One potential juror was excused after she said a friend of hers was stabbed to death, with the alleged assailant acquitted as not guilty by reason of self-defense.

The prosecution and defense then gave their opening arguments.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Camille Turner argued that the defendant attacked Campbell, stabbing him twelve times.

Defense attorney Caroline Costle said in her statement that the defendant was attacked, and only stabbed Campbell out of self-defense. She said Campbell's stab wounds are consistent with the self-defense theory.

With opening statements finished, a Fairfax County Police Department officer was called as the first witness. He had been called to the hospital the night of Campbell's death to investigate the stabbing.

On the witness stand, he showed the items he collected as evidence at the hospital: Campbell's bloody clothing, and a spring-loaded switchblade. The knife's owner was not established, although Costle said in opening arguments that Campbell brought a knife to the fight where he allegedly received his wounds.

The trial recessed at 1 p.m.

With the jury out of the room, Judge Brett Kassabian ruled on to forbid any mention of Campbell's alleged drug dealing. 

Defense attorney Cary Greenberg argued that the drug dealing evidence should be allowed, saying that Campbell would have had an interest in maintaining a reputation for toughness because he was a drug dealer, even if the particular fight did not have a connection to drugs.

"He wanted people to know that you can't mess with Wyatt Campbell," Greenberg said.

The trial will continue tomorrow. Stay with Patch throughout this week for updates.