ELKHART COUNTY, Ind.-- Monday was the first day of the murder trial of Nicholas Stanley.
He's charged with killing 35-year-old Allen Cogswell in Elkhart last summer. ABC57's Annie Kate was the only reporter in the courtroom for day one, which primarily consisted of jury selection.
Monday's corporate proceedings began with two motions from the prosecution. The first was a separation of witnesses. The second was a motion to withdraw one count against Stanley, which Elkhart circuit court judge Michael Christofeno granted. This means Stanley is now only facing one felony murder charge.
ABC57 previously reported that Elkhart County prosecutor Vicki Becker charged Stanley with possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer. This was informed by Stanley's prior conviction from over a decade ago that he successfully got expunged earlier this year, before Cogswell's killing. The class A misdemeanor could've given Stanley a sentencing enhancement if he were found guilty. Becker said her motion to withdraw that charge is to avoid violating double Jeopardy rules.
Stanley was wearing a gray button-down and trousers as he observed jury selection from a pool of nearly 120 prospective jurors.
Jury selection began shortly after 10 a.m. and did not conclude until about 8 p.m. Over almost ten hours and four rounds of questioning three men and 11 women were selected.
Amongst Stanley’s jurors are a music teacher, a homemaker, and a college student.
Jury selection is arguably the most challenging part of this trial because of the extensive media coverage and ABC57 exclusive reporting. The lawyers on both sides must ensure the jury is fair and impartial; and had to determine that none of them already had a strong opinion on the case.
The prosecution primarily wanted to know about the perspective jurors’ prior media exposure.
Those who knew about the case were asked if they could put what they already know aside and objectively decide the case based solely on the evidence presented at trial.
The other primary line of question by the prosecution was whether perspective jurors had ever dealt with the criminal justice system, and how they felt about their experience.
Questions from the defense don’t primarily with what perspective jurors did for a living and whether they had children.
They were also asked about their law-enforcement connections, and if that affects their opinion of law enforcement.
Judge Christofeno ended the first day of Stanley’s murder trial swearing in the newly formed jury.
Trial resumes Tuesday, starting with opening statements.