Jury Selection in Marmolejo Trial

Prosecutors and lawyers for David Marmolejo are picking the jury that will decide if he’s guilty of murder.

The 31 year old is accused of killing his mother, Gloria Marmolejo, and dumping her body in the desert near Santa Teresa in July of 2009.

Investigators say he strangled her because she disapproved of him dating his stepsister.

Friday’s jury selection began with 220 in the jury pool. But after several ‘no-shows,’ Judge Gonzalo Garcia requested 25 more potential jurors.

Exemptions and disqualifications brought the number of jurors down to a little over 150 by lunch time.

58 potential jurors then told the court because of the high-profile nature of the case and because of all the media attention, they could not be impartial in the case.

They were excused.

Marmolejo’s lawyers have requested a change of venue, because of extensive media coverage.

However, the Judge Garcia says the trial will stay in El Paso, unless prosecutors and the defense are unable to agree on a jury.

A jury had yet to be seated as of Friday afternoon.