Nine jurors seated in Portis murder trial
By RYAN CHRISTNER
OSBORNE -- Formal proceedings for the trial of Kenneth Eugene Wilson began Monday with jury selection.
After the first day, nine members of the jury pool have been selected, and the rest are expected to be chosen today.
"We should have a jury by the end of the day," Wilson's attorney, Paul Oller, said this morning.
Oller originally filed a petition for a change of venue. He withdrew the motion in April at the request of his client.
Wilson, he said, believed he could receive a fair trial in Osborne County and did not wish to delay the case any longer.
Wilson is on trial for his alleged involvement in the premeditated first-degree murder of Portis resident Jeffery "Scott" Noel, who was found dead in his home in March 2008 after an apparent burglary.
In addition to Noel's murder and the burglary of his home, Wilson faces charges relating to the burglary of a residence in Downs and criminal possession of a firearm.
If convicted, he could receive life in prison.
Wilson's trial has been scheduled for two full weeks, lasting until May 22.
If jury selection does wrap up today, Oller said opening statements should take place Wednesday.
Thus far, it does not appear there have been any significant snags in finding a sufficient number of impartial jurors.
"It is going as expected," Oller said.
Court will begin each day at 10 a.m.