Associated Press
PARAGOULD, Ark. — Opening statements are set in the capital murder trial of a man charged with fatally shooting a police officer last year in northeast Arkansas.
The final alternate juror was selected Friday morning in the trial of 38-year-old Jerry Lard. Opening statements are expected later in the day.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Lard, who they say fatally shot Trumann police officer Jonathan Schmidt in April 2011 following a traffic stop.
Witnesses told The Associated Press that Schmidt managed to shove another policeman out of harm’s way before he died.
Lard’s lawyers argue he shouldn’t be found guilty of capital murder because he has a mental disease or defect.
Copyright 2012 Associated Press