Landlord agrees jurors can see home in Kinsley Kinner murder case

HAMILTON, Ohio -- For a moment, it wasn't a certainty that jurors would visit a home where police and prosecutors allege a man beat his girlfriend's daughter so badly she died.

Even though it's rare, defense attorneys and prosecutors already agreed six months ago it would be OK for jurors to see the home themselves.

The property owner, it seemed, was reluctant.

The Madison Township home is where Bradley Young, Rebekah Kinner and Kinsley Kinner lived until late 2015. Kinsley, Rebekah Kinner's 2-year-old daughter, wasn't breathing when she was taken to Children's Hospital on Dec. 2.

Rebekah Kinner told investigators Young shook and punched Kinsley in the head multiple times. The 2-year-old then went in and out of consciousness.

She died late the next day.

Young is charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter and two counts of endangering children.

Defense attorneys Frank Schiavone III and Frank Schiavone IV requested that the jury physically visit the scene rather than rely on photos taken by investigators. The defense team argued the jurors need to see for themselves the proximity of the rooms in the house as well as the garage.

At a March hearing, prosecutors didn't object to the request, and Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth granted the motion.

But Tuesday's hearing was about the landlord's concerns; his attorney agreed to grant the court limited access to the home.

"He has not had a chance to sign an entry with consent, but I've talked with him about it, and he is willing to consent and with the court's permission, I will be willing to allow access to make whatever arrangements need to be made," attorney Matt Fritsch said.

Jury selection is set to begin Monday morning in Young's murder trial. With such a high-profile case, the court plans to bring in as many as 60 potential jurors to ensure it can get a jury seated.

Young's attorneys tried -- and failed -- to get the charges against their client dismissed.

Rebekah Kinner pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter, permitting child abuse and endangering children. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison.