Opening statements begin in trial of Milwaukee father accused of locking his 6 kids in storage unit
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A jury trial is now sworn and opening statements have been made in the jury trial of a Milwaukee man charged after allegedly locking his six children in a storage unit.
Thirty-three-year-old Charles Dupriest is charged with eight counts of child neglect: five felonies and three misdemeanors. He also faces a felony charge for possessing a firearm.
Fourteen jurors were sworn in after a full afternoon of jury selection Monday, Jan. 12. They were asked about their jobs, family status, and their ability to judge a case that involves some disturbing details about child neglect.
On Sept. 16, Milwaukee police were called for a report of a crying baby inside a storage unit at StorSafe near 27th and Silver Spring. When police went inside, they found six children ranging from 9 years old to 2 months old.
Some of the children told police they were locked in there with no lights and used a bucket to urinate and defecate.
In opening statements, the defense said the evidence will show that Dupriest was living in poverty, leading to what was called an unfortunate situation. Prosecutors said it was preventable.
Charles Dupriest
"The evidence will show that this was not a situation where there were no options," said prosecuting attorney Thomas Hasle. "This was a situation where a safe option existed and was rejected."
"What I believe the evidence will show is this is a case of poverty," said defense attorney Annamarie Weineke. "The reason for this is simply poverty."
Both of the parents were charged.
The children's mother, Azyia Zielinski, reached a plea agreement last week with prosecutors, making her guilty of two misdemeanor charges. Four felony counts were dismissed.
Online records show the 27-year-old will be sentenced in March.
As for the jury trial of Charles Dupriest, the first witnesses are expected to take the stand Tuesday morning. The prosecution said they'll call 15 witnesses.
We'll hear from doctors, police officers, and some of the children who were found in the storage unit.