Kidnap-killing trial starts today
Posted on 08/19/2002 3:23:46 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Kidnap-killing trial starts today
Ex-stepdad faces death penalty in strangling of N. Texas girl
08/19/2002
MILDRED, Texas - Just more than a year after a 10-year-old girl's abduction and slaying devastated this tiny North Texas community, her former stepfather is going to trial on capital murder charges.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in Corsicana for 37-year-old Michael Paul Zoch, who had earlier confessed to killing April Bryant but must go to trial because prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, authorities said.
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Mr. Zoch has been held at the Navarro County Justice Center in lieu of $500,000 bail since his arrest on Aug. 6, 2001, two days after April disappeared from her house on a remote county road near her school.
In Mildred, residents still struggle with a deep sense of loss over the death of April, who was one of only about 400 people in this tightly knit community just east of Corsicana and about 60 miles southeast of Dallas.
"We are still hurting very badly," said Becky Burns, assistant superintendent of the Mildred Independent School District, where April was in the gifted and talented program at Mildred Elementary School. "She is very missed, and she always will be.
"We are a very small community," said Ms. Burns. "Anytime something like this happens to someone, it's like it's happening to someone in your own family."
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Gale Zoch April's mother and Mr. Zoch's ex-wife has moved out of Mildred with her other two children to an unknown location, residents said. Ms. Zoch could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Zoch's father, Otto Zoch, who lives with his wife next door to April's former house, declined to comment.
The Zochs' son was arrested two days after April disappeared on an unrelated charge of violating a restraining order that barred him from visiting his ex-wife's and stepdaughter's home. April's partially clothed body was found on the evening of his arrest in a creek bed about six miles from Mildred, and authorities charged him with capital murder the next day after he confessed.
Authorities said it appeared that Mr. Zoch had sexually abused April and strangled her after taking her from her home the night of Aug. 4, 2001, while her mother was working at a club.
Neither the prosecutors nor defense attorneys would comment on the case, citing a gag order issued by District Judge John Jackson because of media coverage. District Attorney Patrick Batchelor also asked authorities involved with the case not to talk to the news media, said Detective Jimmy Johnson, who initially investigated the case.
Extensive publicity has prompted Kerri Anderson-Donica, Mr. Zoch's lead defense attorney, to request the trial be moved out of Navarro County. As of Friday, Judge Jackson had not agreed to a change of venue.
"It affected the community quite a bit," said the Rev. Tony Neal, pastor of Mildred Baptist Church, where April was involved. "The murder just made us aware ... that evil is very real, and anyone can be touched by it.
"I guess it made everybody appreciate their children more," he added.
Mr. Neal said he tried to minister to Mr. Zoch in jail, but Mr. Zoch refused his efforts.
April was an energetic, active girl who was "quick with a smile," the pastor said. "She was a sweet girl, and she loved people."
Last year at church camp, weeks before her slaying, April had complimented another girl on her dance at a talent show. This year, that same girl performed a dance in honor of April.
"The memories are still there," Mr. Neal said.
Kellie B. Gormly is a Dallas-based free-lance writer.
Commit crime in A.M., Caught in A.M, tried in P.M, Hung in P.M. just prior to sundown.
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