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Russell Tillis takes the stand in his own defense at murder trial Woman’s dismembered body found buried in Tillis’ yard in 2016 Published:  Updated:  Tags:  JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After years of battling the attorneys defending him and the judge assigned to try his case, Russell Tillis finally went to trial this week in the murder of Joni Gunter, whose dismembered remains were found on his property in 2016. On the second day of the trial, Tillis took the stand in his own defense. [PRESS PLAY ABOVE TO WATCH LIVE STREAM FROM COURT] The first day of the trial Wednesday featured grim detai...

Jury seated over objections of defense attorneys in 'House of Horrors' death penalty trial Jury in trial of accused killer Russell Tillis is mostly white women and those who support the death penalty. Author: Anne Schindler Updated: 9:27 PM EDT April 6, 2021 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A jury was seated in the high-profile trial of accused killer Russell Tillis Tuesday, following two days of intensive questioning. Twelve jurors and three alternates were selected from pool of 60 in a case that will determine if a man accused of killing a woman and burying her dismemb...

Attorneys question first 30 jurors in the murder, kidnapping and sex trafficking trial of Russell Tillis. Author: Anne Schindler Updated: 9:10 PM EDT April 5, 2021 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jury selection in the death penalty trial of Russell Tillis got underway Monday morning, the first capital murder case in Duval County since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 59-year-old Tillis is accused of killing and dismembering 30-year-old Joni Gunter roughly six years ago, and burying her remains in his Southside backyard. The high-profile case has received years of...

Here are five things to know about the case per Times-Union news partner First Coast News: 1. What is the case about? Tillis is charged with murder, kidnapping, human trafficking and abuse of a dead human body in the death of Joni Gunter, believed to be about 30 when she died. In February 2016, Gunter’s dismembered remains were found buried in three holes in the backyard of Tillis’ Southside home at 3551 E. Bowden Circle.  According to prosecutors, Gunter died of blunt force trauma to the head sometime between Feb. 3, 2014, and May 28, 2015 (the day Tillis was arrested on unrelated cha...

Juror dismissed in Russell Tillis murder trial after writing letter to judge 12 jurors, 3 alternates were seated Tuesday Published:  Updated:  Tags:  Russell Tillis listens during jury selection Tuesday. (Pool/WJXT) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One of the first 10 jurors selected to serve in the murder trial of Russell Tillis was excused Tuesday after writing a letter to the judge. The contents of the letter were not immediately clear, but the judge and Tillis’ attorney noted the juror was very upset. The juror’s surprise dismissal came on the second day of jury selection for the trial of T...