Jury selection complete in trial against father, son accused of murdering Osceola County mother

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Update:

Jury selection in the trial against a father and son accused of murdering an Osceola County mother was completed Monday night.

Nicole Montalvo was the estranged wife of one of the defendants, Christopher Otero-Rivera.

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Prosecutors believe Otero-Rivera and his father, Angel Rivera, murdered Montalvo.

Her remains were found buried on the Rivera family property.

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According to court records, the opening statements will begin Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Jury selection began last Monday.

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Stay tuned to Channel 9 for the latest on this trial.

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Jury selection began Monday in the trial against a father and son accused of murdering an Osceola County mother.

Nicole Montalvo was the estranged wife of one of the defendants, Christopher Otero-Rivera.

Channel 9 was told 60 potential jurors will be brought in Monday through Wednesday.

READ: Estranged husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law to all face trial together on charges related to death of Nicole Montalvo, judge rules

Twenty-four potential jurors were called Monday morning and another 24 Monday afternoon. Several have already been dismissed for reasons including financial hardship and childcare.

Prosecutors believe Otero-Rivera and his father, Angel Rivera, murdered Montalvo.

Montalvo was never seen again after she dropped her son off at the Rivera home in October 2019.

Her remains were found buried on the Rivera family property.

READ: Estranged husband, father-in-law of slain St. Cloud woman indicted on different charges

Rivera and his attorney blamed his son.

Now, more than a year later, a jury is being selected.

If the jury is selected by Thursday, it is possible the trial could start Friday.

The selection will continue Tuesday, and the judge hopes to have the case in the hands of the jury by April 21.

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