The selection of 12 jurors and 6 alternate jurors began Tuesday, October 12, in Charleston. It has been reported that the process to impanel a jury could take two weeks. Approximately 150 potential jurors were selected from across the southern part of West Virginia to make up the jury pool. As of early this week, no date had been set for the trial to get under way. The case was moved from the northern district to the southern part of the state in an effort to find prospective jurors with little knowledge of the case, which has attracted the attention of statewide and national media.
Investigators say gasoline was ignited inside the home, setting off the deadly blaze.
The house soon became an inferno. The three defendants and two other adults managed to escape unharmed, but the flames quickly engulfed the home, trapping the five youths aged 3 to 10 years inside. The trio was subsequently indicted on federal and state charges, including murder.