Jury selection for Abrams trial delayed

Jury selection was postponed until Aug. 14 for the trial of Steven

Allen Abrams, the man accused of murdering two preschool children last

year when he drove his car into a day-care center playground.

Sierra Soto, 4, and Brandon Wiener, 3, were killed May 3, 1999, when

Abrams drove his 1967 Cadillac onto the grounds of the Southcoast Early

Childhood Learning Center in Costa Mesa. Several other children and a

teacher’s aide were injured.

In addition to two counts of murder, Abrams faces seven counts of

attempted murder. He also is accused of lying in wait because he

allegedly premeditated his actions. Police said Abrams purposely

accelerated his car onto the playground because he wanted to kill

innocent children.

The prosecution is seeking the death penalty for Abrams.

The trial will take place in Orange County Superior Court.