NEW ORLEANS — After five years, a jury was selected Tuesday for the trial of a man accused of fatally shooting a young couple in a Little Woods Home. Kenneth Augustine is charged with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly killing Gregory Heisser and Darnisha Desilva. When he was killed, Heisser was holding one of the couple's young kids, another was nearby.
On Tuesday, both sides spent about six hours questioning three separate groups of potential jurors. Questions included whether jurors were able to be impartial and fair, and legal terms and processes were also explained. The prosecution questioned whether the potential jurors would be able to consider a guilty verdict, considering that if guilty, Augustine would be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The defense spent time reiterating the threshold for a guilty verdict is if the state proves its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court was finally able to seat a full jury and alternates around 4 p.m.
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