Opening Statements And Testimony To Start Tuesday Afternoon In Thompson Murder Trial

Only seven of 77 jurors were excused from the first day of jury selection in the second degree murder trial of Edwin Thompson. Thompson appeared in court for the first time in street clothing and not a jail uniform. He wore a blue and white thin vertical lined long sleeved shirt with dress pants. Members of Thompson family were present in the courtroom. Thompson is pleading Not Guilty and Not Guilty by reason of insanity. Thompson trial is different in that while the Beadle County States Attorney’s office must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the elements of second degree murder are present. Thompson defense team of Ron Volesky and Doug Foshiem must provide clear and concise evidence Thompson was in fact insane when Ryan Treadway’s death occurred. Lawyers must qualify 55 jurors to take to final striking. 13 jurors will be called for duty with 12 hearing the case and one alternate. The final panel jurors will be called (this) Tuesday morning with opening statements and testimony should beginning (this) Tuesday afternoon.