Murder trial jury selected
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on October 9, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Gary Metzger, right, waits for the jury pool to enter the courtroom Wednesday afternoon as jury selection began. Metzger is on trial for the 2011 murder of his sister Jean Metzger Hubbard.
A jury has been selected in the first-degree murder trial of a man charged with killing his sister in 2011.
The panel that will determine Gary Metzger's fate includes nine women and three men. Two other women and another man will serve as alternates.
Of the 12 jurors, there are seven whites and five blacks. All three alternates are white.
Wayne County Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Arnold Jones told the court today that opening statements would not be delivered until Monday morning. At that time, the evidenciary portion of the trial will begin.
Jones also said that he felt confident that the proceedings would end next week.
For a more detailed look at the jurors -- including those who were dismissed during the selection process -- see Friday's News-Argus.
Metzger and his wife, Ann Metzger, are accused of killing Jean Hubbard. Her body was found on Aug. 4, 2011, about a half mile behind the Metzgers' home at 146 Country View Drive, wrapped in a sheet and buried beneath limbs and debris.
Ann Metzger will be tried separately.
Assistant District Attorney Matt Delbridge is prosecuting the case. The defense attorney is William Gerrans of Kinston.Among the potential jurors dismissed Wednesday were:
• A middle-aged white female who told the court that she had personal experience with the court system. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Delbridge, the man who will prosecute the case on behalf of the state, excused her from the jury despite her contention that she could remain fair and impartial.
• A young black male who told the court he felt "uncomfortable" sitting on a jury and participating in a first-degree murder trial. When he told Delbridge that given "the way things are these days," he did not want to have to determine someone's innocence or guilt, the prosecutor told the young man that was "sad," but that he understood.
• A young black female who told the court she, too, felt "uncomfortable" sitting on a jury and participating in a first-degree murder trial.