Jury selection resumes today in the trial of a man charged with killing a popular Hendricks Avenue convenience store owner. Patel had just closed his 8 Till Late convenience store in the Miramar Shopping Center when he was robbed and shot several times. Last month, a jury found co-defendant Cobra Newton guilty of murder and armed robbery. Newton was sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole. Jury selection began yesterday in Belton's trial.
Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty in the case.
Opening arguments are scheduled for this afternoon. An autopsy report concluded that Mildretta ''Millie'' Messer of Park Street in Green Cove Springs had been in the water several days before a fisherman discovered the body. Rather than signs of physical trauma, which led police to think the woman had been slain, the autopsy concluded that the condition of the body was due to ''advanced state of decomposition and natural elements,'' authorities said. Messer was last seen alive by friends on Aug. 10 as she left Sunday morning service at First African Baptist Church just around the corner from her house. Relatives reported her missing the next morning.