TULSA, Okla. — Jury selection in the murder trial of David Ware moved forward Thursday, seating a 12-person jury.
Ware is accused of killing one Tulsa police officer and injuring another in a shooting during a June 2020 traffic stop.
He's charged with First-Degree Murder and Shooting With Intent to Kill, and Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler is seeking the death penalty in this case. Ware's attorney Kevin Adams says his client acted in self-defense.
MORE >>> David Ware Trial: Attorneys prepare ahead of jury selection Monday
Tulsa County District Judge Bill LaFortune presided over the jury selection process that started April 4 with a total of 200 potential jurors called. Potential jurors filled out a 16-page questionnaire and attorneys asked questions about following the law when it comes to the death penalty, are they willing to consider the death penalty, and if their family has any connections to the victims.
More specific questions throughout the last two weeks narrowed down the juror pool to the 12 jurors selected on Thursday along with two alternates. The jury is made up of nine men and three women.
Adams argued during a hearing Thursday afternoon in an effort to build a case saying that Ware acted in self-defense. LaFortune ruled not to give the jury an option for self-defense until enough evidence can be used to support it. Opening statements for the trial will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday.
2 News Oklahoma has a reporter at the courthouse and we'll update this story as details become available.
>> Follow a timeline and more background on this case
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