Plancher Trial Doctor: Ereck Died of Sickle Cell

Jurors have been selected in the Plancher v. UCFAA case, allowing the trial to begin in an Orange County courtroom on Thursday.

Gisele and Enock Plancher filed a lawsuit in March 2009 against the University of Central Florida's Athletic Association for the wrongful death of their 19-year-old son, Ereck Plancher, who collapsed in the arms of fellow players and died on the football field a year prior.

The parents of the deceased leaned closely to each other amid the frank circumstances, watching and listening - along with the eight men and women selected for jury duty - to the prosecution's witness, Dr. Barry Maron.

In his testimony, he told the jury that the complications of Ereck Plancher's medical condition was consistent with sickle cell trait.

Maron explained, as he was cross-examined by UCF's defense attorney, Don Shapiro, how quickly Ereck Plancher died. "It would have been instantaneous," the doctor said. "Or a very brief time after." Maron is a cardiologist at the Minnesota Heart Institute Foundation and says the screening of the disease is in its early stages and certain studies have not been conducted yet.

In the duration of practice on March 18, 2008, the players had their first workout of the year, which ended up being Ereck Plancher's final one. They ran about 500 to 600 yards and were not wearing any head gear.

Shapiro argued that this was not the teenager's first workout ever, that he has done it "multiple, multiple, multiple times in the past."

Prosecution approached the podium for re-direct, questioning if it was typical for a 19-year-old to suffer from a cardiovascular disorder and that's when Shapiro objected, cutting his opposition off, stating that it was not a proper question.

Judge Robert M. Evans, at that moment, ended the court proceeding, excused the jury and reminded the attorneys, Yerrid and Shapiro, that they only had until 5 p.m. sharp each day. "I don't think you two use your time wisely," Evans said.

Evans explained that they don't have the budget for an elongated trial, therefore the judge demanded that it will not exceed three weeks and each the prosecution and defense have been allocated five and a half days for each case.

Following court that day, the Plancher's attorney, Yerrid declined to comment, saying for personal reasons, "it's best we try this case in the courtroom."

More witnesses to testify the following day at 8:30 a.m.