Judge in Casey Anthony trial adjourns jury selection until Thursday

Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. of the Orange County Superior Court is presiding over the Casey Anthony murder trial.NEW: Defense lawyer says situation was "private matter"Several people are struck as viable jury pool candidatesAttorneys and the judge have rejected potential jurors for financial hardship and biasAnthony is accused of killing her daughter and then lying to investigators

Clearwater, Florida (CNN) -- The lead defense attorney in the Florida capital murder trial of Casey Anthony said a "private matter" curtailed jury selection Wednesday after only a few hours.

Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. of the Orange County Superior Court, after a lunch break Wednesday, asked one of Anthony's defense attorneys whether he had had "an opportunity to discuss the matter with Miss Anthony?"

Defense lawyer Cheney Mason said he had.

The subject of the conversation was not clear in court, but defense lawyer Jose Baez later told Tru TV's "In Session" that the abrupt adjournment resulted from a "private matter" and that people should not speculate.

Baez has previously complained about what he considers the quick pace and nature of the jury selection process.

"We can't comment on the chief judge's decision, as it was his decision. We will resume our work in court tomorrow at 8:30," said Danielle Tavernier, spokeswoman for the State Attorney's Office, 9th Judicial Circuit, which is prosecuting the case.

Anthony is charged in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee. The young girl's skeletal remains were found in woods near her family's home in December 2008 after she went missing for six months.

Jury selection had resumed Wednesday morning before the adjournment. The selection process has so far lasted nine days.

The goal is to have jury selection finalized late this week, with opening statements set for Monday morning, "if we get a jury," Perry said.

Attorneys and the judge have rejected potential jurors for reasons ranging from financial hardship to bias.

Anthony, 25, has pleaded not guilty.

Jury selection is taking place at the Pinellas County courthouse in Clearwater, Florida.

Attorneys on both sides struck several jurors Tuesday, whittling the potential pool of vetted candidates to just 11 -- six women and five men. Monday ended with 17 such candidates. Those remaining could still be cut before they are sworn in to serve.

Twelve jurors and eight alternates were expected to be seated on the jury, which will be moved to and sequestered in Orange County, where the alleged crime happened and where the trial will take place.

However, Perry on Monday raised the possibility the trial could move forward with fewer than eight alternates.

"We will have what we will have," he said.

HLN's Natisha Lance and In Session's Beth Karas and Michael Christian contributed to this report.

CNN

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