WILLMAR - Three jurors, one man and two women, were seated Wednesday morning in the first-degree murder trial of Brok Junkermeier.
Junkermeier is accused in the strangulation and stabbing death of Lila Warwick, 79, in July 2013 at her home just outside Willmar.
Jury selection began Tuesday. As of noon Wednesday, eight jurors had been seated. Jury selection will continue Wednesday afternoon.
A total of 12 jurors and two alternates are to be seated.
Opening statements and the first testimony in the trial are expected to start Friday or Monday, depending on the progress of jury selection. The case is expected to take about two weeks once jury selection is complete. The trial is taking place in the Kandiyohi County Courthouse in Willmar.
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In first-degree murder trials, jurors are questioned individually. Judge Donald Spilseth and attorneys for the defense and prosecution interviewed a total of nine jurors Wednesday morning. Another juror whose interview had been suspended Tuesday afternoon was excused without having to return to the courtroom.
In all, 27 potential jurors have been interviewed. Some have been dismissed because they have established opinions about the case; others for medical or work-related reasons.
