WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsJury selected for trial of man accused of killing child

Jury selected for trial of man accused of killing child

By Brandon Herring - bio | email

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - A jury has been selected for the trial of a man accused of killing his 5-week-old daughter.

In July 2007, Miles Ferguson came from Portsmouth, OH, to Myrtle Beach for vacation with his wife Ashley and daughter Mylee. Mylee was rushed to a local hospital when she stopped breathing.

Hospital workers say they noticed injuries present on the baby's body were consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Shortly after the discovery, Ferguson was arrested by police.

Police allege Ferguson assaulted and shook the baby to death. He is charged with murder by child abuse.

Dozens of Ferguson supporters stood outside the government and justice center in Conway during jury selection Monday. Some supporters also waited inside. None of the supporters commented about the case, but they all wore T-shirt outside the building that read "I support Miles Ferguson."

In contrast to those dozens of supporters, two women from the Myrtle Beach-based Children's Recovery Center also stood outside with small signs reading "Justice for Mylee Grace." The women said they wanted to remind people of the infant instead of focusing on Ferguson.

"I want to come out and support this child that is not with us anymore," Stephanie Jackson said. "People are going to support who they want to support. That's fine if you want to support him. We'll be here to support her."

The other child advocate Kelly Mason said she and Jackson will also be following the case, but unlike the other people standing outside the courthouse Monday, the two women would like to Ferguson to be found guilty.

"Ultimately the jury will decide the verdict," Mason said. "My job is to stand out here and support this child.

Opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday morning. Later, the prosecution and the defense plan to call experts with opposing opinions about Mylee's death. The defense experts are expected to explain that Mylee died from a medical condition.

Ferguson could receive a life sentence if the jury finds him guilty.

©2009 WMBF News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.