Little Rock dentist Jose Turcios sat through his first day of trial at the Pulaski County Courthouse on Wednesday before Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen.
Turcios, who is represented by defense attorney Bill James, is charged with felony second-degree sexual assault against a minor. He has pleaded innocent.
The defense and prosecutors spent the day selecting a jury of six men and six women, with two alternates. Jury selection began at 9 a.m., and all 14 members were sworn in just after 5 p.m.
Questioning of the potential jurors centered on the credibility of minors versus adults, the potential jurors' sentiments toward dentists and their previous experiences with nitrous oxide.
Turcios practices dentistry in west Little Rock at Healthy Smiles, which he co-founded. He was charged after a 15-year-old girl reported to police that she had been molested while she was sedated with nitrous oxide March 4, 2015.
The girl reported that Turcios groped her breasts, forcibly placed her hand on his genitals and rubbed her buttocks, among other acts, during her scheduled dental visit at Healthy Smiles.
According to a police report, the girl said Turcios leaned down to kiss her and said, "I want you so bad. We have to find a way to do this," while she was inhaling the anesthetic gas.
If convicted, Turcios could face up to 20 years in prison.
Roughly 60 potential witnesses -- including Turcios, the now 16-year-old victim, and others in the Little Rock dentistry community -- were named by the defense. The defense also is expected to provide expert testimony during the trial from anesthesiologist Steven Fogel of the University of Missouri.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Jeanna Sherrill and Leigh Patterson listed seven witnesses.
Both sides also have submitted edited versions of a two-hour video that shows surveillance footage of staff members going in and out of the room where Turcios treated the girl.
Opening statements in the trial will be heard at 9 a.m. today.
Originally from El Salvador, Turcios received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Universidad Evangelica de El Salvador School of Dentistry with a strong emphasis on pediatric patients, according to his clinic's website. He practiced dentistry for two years in El Salvador and five years in California before moving to Little Rock. He has been practicing in Little Rock for about 10 years, James said.
In addition to the criminal case against Turcios, the girl's mother has filed a lawsuit against Turcios and his partnership, Turcios & Zarruk P.A., alleging assault and battery resulting in emotional distress and bodily harm. The family is seeking actual and punitive damages.
Metro on 04/28/2016