And then there were 12.
It took two full days to choose a complete jury for the Neil Snelson first degree murder trial in BC Supreme Court in Kelowna. Snelson, 45, is accused of killing 19-year-old Jennifer Cusworth in October 1993.
Cusworth was last seen walking away from a large house party on Richter Street in Kelowna in the early morning hours of October 16th. She was bludgeoned to death and her body dumped in a ditch off Swamp Road in rural Kelowna the next morning.
Crown Counsel has indicated they will be calling on DNA evidence collected following the crime. DNA samples were collected from dozens of people RCMP interviewed following the crime, including those who attended the house party.
Snelson was arrested after RCMP invested the case for 16 years.
More than 300 potential jurors spent the last two days waiting to be called in front of a judge to be considered for jury duty on the four-week trial. Dozens were excused by the judge for valid personal conflicts, including financial, childcare, health and school issues
Many were also excused for knowing Snelson, either through work or school. Dozens of others were turned down by defence and Crown lawyers for perceived bias.
Opening arguments will commence Wednesday morning.
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