Jury selection for the man accused of murdering 12-year-old Amber Harris starts Monday in Omaha.
It has reached this point from November 29, 2005 when Melissa Harris took her daughter Amber to the bus stop. "She told me she loved me and that was the last time I saw her."
Amber was last seen alive getting off her school bus only a few blocks from home near 16th and Spencer. For months, there was little information as to what happened to her.
On February 14, 2006 Amber's book bag was found and inside police found DNA evidence. At the time, 53-year-old convicted sex offender Roy Ellis was out of jail and living only a block away from where the Harris family lived.
"The book bag was the big breakthrough," said Melissa. "Then I kind of knew that things would kind of progress from there."
Then on May 11, 2006, Amber's remains were found in Hummel Park. Ellis was arrested June 2, 2006 on unrelated charges, but investigators had also been building a murder case against him and on February 5, 2007, murder charges were filed against him.
"It makes me feel good that this is one less predator that will hopefully be off the streets," said Melissa.
Since the day he was charged with murder, there has been an abundance of legal maneuvers attempted by Ellis' defense including a change of venue, challenging DNA evidence and the removal of a police interview. Last Thursday, the judge threw out a motion for a continuance.
Ellis could face the death penalty if convicted, depending on the future of Nebraska's death penalty. For Melissa, her battle for Amber continues. "We got to be strong ‘cause she can't speak for herself so we got to do it, we got to be there and speak for her.”
The trial is expected to last two weeks. Time off isn't allowed for Douglas County Courthouse security over that period. All deputies will be needed to handle regular business along with duties related to the trial.
Security measures used and fine-tuned during a high-profile murder case last year are in effect on the fifth floor. The Ellis trial will be much the same as the Christopher Edwards trial in terms of security and scope.
Eighty to 90 potential jurors will be in place when jury selection begins.
Having a larger jury pool, experts believe, gives the defendant a better chance at receiving a fair trial considering the extensive coverage the case has received in the past two-and-a-half years.
Lt. Wayne Hudson says to prevent any confrontations as Ellis is led into and away from court, "from the beginning to the hallway to the courtroom will be a restricted space. Like in the Edwards case, no one will be allowed in there without permission."
Lt. Hudson says the security goal has two major components. "Not only do we have to protect Roy Ellis from the public, but protect the public from Roy Ellis."
Judge Schatz is hearing the Ellis case, but jury selection will take place in Judge Moran's courtroom. It is a larger room with enough seats for 90 potential jurors.
After jury selection, which is expected to last Monday and Tuesday, the trial itself will move next door.
Murder Trial Begins 