Jury Selection in Kalmio Trial - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Jury Selection in Kalmio Trial

Jury selection is underway in the trial of Omar Kalmio, the man accused of killing four people in Minot in January 2011.

More than 200 jury questionnaires were sent out months ago to potential jurors for Omar Kalmio's trial.

Out of those, 104 were summed here for the initial round of jury selection.

That process started this morning, Shaun Sipma has the details.

(Judge Doug Mattson, Northwest District) "Thank you for reporting for Jury Duty this morning.

Judge Doug Mattson welcomed the first group of potential jurors this morning at the Ward County Courthouse and quickly set ground rules.

(Judge Doug Mattson, Northwest District Court) "First do not conduct any independent research into this case or of any of the individuals involved in this case. (edit) The second part of my message is while I know many are accustomed to communicating with others by way of email, text messaging, cell phones, blackberry's, window phones, apple phones, you're not allowed to use any of those about this case ."

Defense Attorney Kerry Rosenquist spent much of his time addressing social media.

(Kerry Rosenquist, Defense Attorney) "Any of you believe that everything you read on the internet, twitter, or see on the news is the truth and it needs to be believed?"

Prosecution, lead by Kelly Dillion from the Ward County State's Attorney's Office, also outlined the burden of the state to prove Kalmio's Guilt.

(Kelly Dillon, Prosecuting Attorney) "Can you make me the promise that if you are selected to serve on this jury that you will not hold me to any greater burned than proof beyond a reasonable doubt."

The prosecution and defense will need to agree on 16 juries out of the 104 possible that were summoned, 12 who will sit as the deciding jury and 4 who will be alternates.

Once the jury is seated and given instructions opening statements will be made by the defense and prosecution.

And that could come as early as Friday afternoon or Monday

Shaun Sipma KX News.

Kalmio is facing four counts of class double A murder in the deaths of Sabrina Zephier, Jolene Zephier, Dillon Zephier and Jeremey Longie who were found murdered January 28, 2011.