Opening statements are set to begin Monday morning in the death-penalty murder trial of Harve L. Johnson, accused of using a video-game controller to fatally beat 2-year-old Darisabel Baez. 

A full jury panel -- 12 jurors and four alternates -- was seated by 5 p.m. Friday, senior deputy prosecutor Chris Moore said. 

Johnson, 28, of York City, is charged with first-degree murder and related offenses in the April 6, 2008, beating death of Darisabel in their former home in the 700 block of West Philadelphia Street. 

Darisabel was the daughter of Johnson’s then-girlfriend, Neida Baez. Baez has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for doing nothing to save her toddler from the abuse, senior prosecutor Tim Barker said.

 York City Police have said Johnson badly beat Darisabel for 45 minutes to an hour. An autopsy report indicates Darisabel’s wounds were widespread and severe, including injuries to the brain, chest, heart and liver. The report states that "the amount of beating is extensive and indicative of torture." 

Barker and Moore are prosecuting the case. Johnson is being defended by attorneys Rick Robinson and Ari Weitzman. 

 -- Reach Elizabeth Evans at 505-5429, levans@yorkdispatch.com or twitter.com/ydcrimetime.

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