Shooting Accidental, Lawyer Says

Jury selection got under way Monday in the murder trial of the Selena fan club president accused of gunning down the beloved singing star, with the defense suggesting the weapon went off accidentally.

“I want jurors who can understand that a weapon can accidentally discharge,” defense attorney Douglas Tinker told prospective jurors.

“This is not a complicated case. The issue before you is if she did not intentionally do it, she is not guilty of murder.”

Yolanda Saldivar, 35, is charged with shooting the Tejano star at a Corpus Christi motel March 31. The 23-year-old Grammy-winning singer had gone there to fire Ms. Saldivar; Selena’s family suspected the woman of embezzling $30,000.

Security was tight as jury selection began. A SWAT team and two bomb-sniffing dogs swept the courtroom before the 200 or so prospective jurors arrived, and 10 officers patrolled the floor.