The Deltona man accused in the murder of his wife and her two children in 2013 on Friday asked that the jury for his trial be sequestered.
- Luis Toledo is accused in murder of wife and her 2 children
- Defense wants jury to come from adjacent county, then sequestered
- Toledo has denied hurting the children
- INTERACTIVE TIMELINE: A look at the Luis Toledo case
- Previous stories on this case
Luis Toledo is accused in the October 2013 murder of his wife and her two young children. Prosecutors say he admitted to his wife's killing but denied harming the children.
On Friday, the defense requested Judge Raul Zambrano to sequester the jury, which means the jury would have to stay together in a hotel and stay away from anyone who could influence their decision. Toledo's team filed a motion to have jurors picked from St. Johns County and brought back to Volusia County for the trial, where they will be sequestered.
The defense argues that media coverage and widespread interest in the case will make it virtually impossible for jury instructions to be followed, and it's concerned about a mistrial.
Zambrano decided to take it into consideration but wait until closer to the trial date, which is Oct. 2.
Investigators said they found traces of blood inside the family's Deltona home, as well as evidence that Toledo tried to clean up the murder of Yessenia Suarez, 28; Thalia Otto, 9; and Michael Otto, 8.
If Toledo is found guilty, he could face the death penalty.