DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – In a small town, everybody knows everybody – or at least they are all acquainted.
That was apparent at the start of the murder trial for Ronald Quiceno, 38.
Jury selection began Tuesday morning at the Becker County Courthouse and is expected to be finished today.
Most of the people questioned as potential jurors either knew each other or knew one of the potential witnesses in the case.
Whether it was through work, a softball team, a next-door neighbor or school, many were connected – though none had close enough relationships to be excused from the panel.
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Quiceno is charged with second-degree murder with intention, second-degree murder without intention, second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, all in connection with a Jan. 26 incident involving a shooting at the Kountry Manor mobile home park north of Detroit Lakes.
He is accused of entering a home at the trailer court early that morning and shooting Travis Buckanaga five times and Burris Guy once, after an argument during a gathering at the residence.
Buckanaga died a short time later at the Detroit Lakes hospital, while Guy was wounded in the lower neck.
On Tuesday, 50 potential jurors were called to appear in the courthouse, and District Judge Lisa Borgen and defense attorney Joseph Parise spent all day questioning them.
The prosecution will question potential jurors today.
Borgen said the trial should take 2½ weeks.
Pippi Mayfield, Forum News Service, INFORUM
