Jury Selection Starts In Murder Trial

Tue., June 25, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

Jury selection began Monday in the attempted murder trial of Jose Mendoza, who is accused of shooting at a carload of teenagers in the Spokane Valley last summer.

Police said Mendoza, 21, fired at least a dozen rounds at the car after his friend and accomplice, Jeremy Johnson, got into an argument with its driver.

Mendoza’s bullets hit three of the five youths inside the car, detectives said. All are recovering from various injuries.

Johnson fired one round from his 9mm handgun before it jammed. He pleaded guilty in February to attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault and was sentenced to 30 years in prison - the harshest term allowed under the law.

Mendoza is charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault for his role in the drive-by shooting.

Nearly 50 potential jurors are being interviewed for the trial, which could begin this afternoon.

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