SAN DIEGO -- Six men and six women were selected Monday to hear the trial of a diagnosed schizophrenic accused of stabbing 12-year-old Stephanie Crowe to death in her Escondido home more than six years ago.

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The jury was chosen in two days for the murder trial of transient Richard Tuite, which could last four months. Opening statements are scheduled for Feb. 17.

Tuite sat quietly but interacted with his attorneys during the daylong jury selection process, where 30 people were asked questions about the trial.

On Feb. 2, prospective jurors were given a form containing more than 100 questions. They got another set of questions after Tuite "walked away" from a holding area at the courthouse.

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Among those chosen are a woman who works for the Internal Revenue Service, an English teacher and a man who described himself as a "combat flier," whose son works as a correctional officer.

Two alternate jurors will be selected Tuesday from a group of 16 to complement four alternates already chosen.

Judge Frederic Link will hear arguments Tuesday afternoon on all remaining pretrial motions.

Link ruled Friday that fantasy writings by Stephanie's brother and statements to police that he didn't like his sister can be introduced by the defense at Tuite's trial.

Stephanie's older brother, Michael, and his friends, Joshua Treadway and Aaron Houser, initially were charged with the girl's murder.

But the allegations were dismissed when her blood was found on a filthy red sweatshirt Tuite was wearing Jan. 20, 1998, the night Stephanie was killed.

Under lengthy police interrogations, Michael Crowe admitted to the killing and Treadway admitted involvement. But a judge threw out most of the statements, saying they were coerced.

Defense attorney Brad Patton said he will present evidence that Michael Crowe wrote a story -- put into final form five weeks before the murder -- describing a brother killing his sister.

The Crowe family filed a federal lawsuit against the county and others, claiming their civil rights were violated in the days after their daughter's murder.

Tuite, 34, slipped his handcuffs Feb. 2 during a break in the jury selection process and walked out the front door of the downtown courthouse.

He was free for 3 1/2 hours before being recaptured in Clairemont after getting off the bus.

Link said he would give an instruction to the jury about a form of "flight" that could, if proven, point to a "consciousness of guilt" on the defendant's part. The judge also forbade any mention of alleged methamphetamine use by the victim's parents.