SAN ANTONIO – Jury selection began Monday in the murder trial of Rosalio Anthony Barraza.
Barraza, 22, was captured in 2016 in Mexico.
He is accused of shooting Isaac Arrocha six times during what police believe was a gang-related murder on the night of July 20, 2013.
Though he said he is ethically bound not to discuss the facts of the case during jury selection, Barraza’s attorney, Pat Montgomery, agreed that it is a critical part of the trial process.
“Jury selection is extremely important,” Montgomery said.
He said much of it involves simply observing prospective jurors.
“When you look at that crowd, some of them you can tell just by their facial expressions, you might not want that person on the jury,” Montgomery said. “You want folks who embrace the world, not afraid, not living in fear.”
Montgomery said the key is identifying, through written juror information and questioning, people who are open-minded.
“Everybody sees things through their own glasses,” he said. “And some of them aren’t rose-colored.”
Testimony in Barraza’s trial begins on Tuesday. A conviction could mean life in prison.