Jury selection continues today in the official misconduct trial of suspended Schools Superintendent Randy Acevedo after prosecution and defense attorneys on Monday narrowed a jury pool of 120 to 26.

Circuit Judge Mark Jones thanked the remaining jurors for a long day that included sequestered voir dire, in which potential jurors were individually questioned in a separate room. The questioning was conducted in that manner to prevent other jurors from hearing comments that might influence them.

Assistant State Attorney Mark Wilson and Acevedo's attorney, Catherine Vogel, will resume winnowing jurors at 9:45 a.m. today.

Both attorneys indicated they believe they can seat six jurors and two alternates by the end of today. If that occurs, opening statements in the case could begin Wednesday.

About 120 potential jurors arrived at the Freeman Justice Center shortly after 8 a.m. and filled the benches in the voluminous Courtroom A. They filled out juror cards en masse, and the judge asked the entire group whether there were any circumstances in their daily lives that would prohibit them from performing jury duty. Most were released.

At 10 a.m., 50 of them were moved to Courtroom C, where the judge asked whether anyone had learned anything about the case in newspapers, radio, television or in conversation with others. Five of the 50 indicated they hadn't heard anything about the school scandal.

Jurors were then asked whether they knew Acevedo, his attorney, the prosecutor, anyone on the witness list, or his wife, former Adult Education Coordinator Monique Acevedo, He is accused of trying to cover up her alleged theft of school money.

Several people mentioned they knew Acevedo as the schools superintendent, but said that knowledge would not prevent them from being fair and impartial. Two women said they knew Monique Acevedo through a dance class their daughters took with the Acevedos' daughter.

The judge then asked the group whether anyone had already formed an opinion as to Acevedo's guilt or innocence, and five indicated they already had. Connections with witnesses and other factors reduced the jury pool further.

Once the number of jurors was reduced to 27, Jones started the sequestered questioning of jurors; after which he dismissed another juror, bringing the number to 26.

Acevedo is being tried on three third-degree felony charges of official misconduct. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

jguerra@keysnews.com