Selection took two full days in the case of Heitbrink, who is charged with three counts of first degree murder. Heitbrink is accused of stabbing his father-in-law, William McElhaney, to death in Heitbrink’s Jacksonville home in July of 2013. Heitbrink is claiming self-defense.
A total of 56 people were selected as jury candidates. That pool was whittled down to a twelve-jury panel with one alternate. 44 of those selected individuals indicated they knew something about the case through radio or newspaper reports.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9:00 tomorrow morning. Judge Chris Reif has told juror candidates that the trial could run until next Tuesday or Wednesday.