Tuesday July 6, 1999 From the Channel 4 newsroom, here's today's top story...

For more local news, click over to our for a summary of the day's news.

The selection took place in Bartow for the first-degree murder trial of Joshua Earl Patrick Phillips. Joshua is accused of the November slaying of Maddie Clifton.

The trial was moved from Jacksonville to Bartow because intense publicity surrounding the case could influence prospective jurors.

The night Maddie disappeared Joshua helped others search for her.

Volunteers searched the child's neighborhood for a week. But Maddie's body was stuffed under a sheet of plywood supporting the frame of Joshua's waterbed.

An autopsy showed Maddie was beaten over the head and stabbed at least nine times in the chest and twice in the neck.

Joshua is being tried as an adult. The fourteen-year-old cannot be sentenced to death in Florida if convicted because he's under sixteen.

Circuit Judge Charles W-Arnold says he expects the trial to last four to six days.
AP-NY-07-06-99 1812EDT

Fred Halstied reported from Maddie Clifton's neighborhood which is also Joshua Phillips neighborhood, a neighborhood that had all of Jacksonville transfixed last November. In the a whole lot of talk about what happened last November or even the upcoming trial.

We talked to a few people who were doing laundry or working in the area to see what they thought and they said they hoped that the trial started quickly so that they can find out what really happened back in November: it is all quiet in this neighborhood now but just 8 months ago emotions were running high and there was an outpouring of grief from the residents on the day that Maddie Clifton's body was found. But with jury selection , it is upsetting because we are going to see everything again, just what 10 months ago so we will see everything all over again and it is upsetting to the whole neighborhood because it is something we did not want to see on TV.

People don't talk much about what happened back in November but they still remember the hundred of volunteers scouring the streets searching desperately for Maddie Clifton. It taught me a lot. It was real heartbreaking because I was really willing to volunteer you know what i'm saying and look for her and everything. Others say their hearts go out for this community and the Phillips' family.

A lot of people have compassion for the little boy because he was so young. Everybody is anxious to find out exactly what happened. Including myself. Just a few moments ago we did speak to Larry Grishom. He was the man that police first suspected of possibly having a hand in all of this. He says that he cannot given reaction because of a gag order on him but he also says that people around here don't talk too much about the up coming trial. Everyone around here is pretty much trying to move on with their lives.

And some residents who live and work in the Clifton's neighborhood say they're anticipating the trial...hoping to learn more details about what really happened. Sandra Lowery\lakewood resident; "a lot of people have compassion for the little boy because he was so young, but everybody's anxious to find out what happened. Including yourself?? Including myself." Joel butler; "I won't watch coverage of the trial, I won't I believe the lord will do his justice and ultimately decision day will come for Joshua Phillips."