LAKEPORT — Jury selection for one of the two men going to trial for allegedly killing a toddler last spring was completed Friday, and a separate group of jurors will be chosen for his co-defendant next week.
Paul W. Braden, 21, of Clearlake Oaks faces murder and other charges after authorities allege he and another man shot into a crowd of people gathered at a Clearlake home June 18, killing Skyler Rapp, 4, and injuring five others.
Braden and his co-defendant — Orlando Joseph Lopez, 24, of Clearlake Oaks — have pleaded not guilty to 15 felonies and have denied dozens of special allegations. They remain in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Both men are standing trial in the same courtroom but have different lawyers and will have separate juries.
Braden completed jury selection this week, with attorneys seating 12 regular jurors Thursday and choosing seven alternates (one fewer than originally anticipated) Friday morning.
Lopez and his lawyer are scheduled to pick the second jury beginning on Feb. 16.
Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson estimated the trial could last three months. He said he hopes the parties will give their opening statements by the end of February.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
