Jury Selection Begins In Rockefeller Case

Jury selection begins Tuesday in the trial of the man known as Clark Rockefeller, who is accused of kidnapping his 7-year-old daughter.

Rockefeller's defense attorney plans to mount an insanity defense.

Prosecutors say Rockefeller — whose real name is Christian Gerharstreiter — knew exactly what he was doing when he planned the kidnapping months in advance.

Legal analysts say insanity defenses are often unsuccessful, but Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly reporter David Frank says anything could happen in this unusual case.

"They've got to have the right experts. They've got to have the right jury," Frank said. "And at the end of the day, they have to convince the jury in this case that Rockefeller was not in a position where he could form that intent that would be required to commit the crimes."

Earlier this month, a judge denied Gerhartstreiter's bid to have his trial moved out of Boston. But Frank says the judge may have to reconsider because of the amount of attention the case has received.