LAKEPORT — Jury selection is under way for the trial of a Lakeport man accused of killing another man nearly five years ago using information he received from California”s online Megan”s Law sex offender registry.
Ivan Garcia Oliver, 34, faces three felonies, including murder, in connection with the November 2007 stabbing death of Michael A. Dodele, 67, who was listed as a sex offender at the time.
Oliver pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied several special allegations in the case.
Two panels of jurors were brought into Department 3 of the Lake County Courthouse, one in the morning and another in the afternoon.
Potential jurors who determined jury service would not pose a hardship filled out questionnaires and were asked to return Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Richard Hinchcliff, prosecuting attorney and chief deputy District Attorney, said two additional panels will be brought in today for the same process.
Oliver is represented by defense counsel Stephen Carter. Judge Arthur H. Mann presided.
Oliver”s trial was initially set to begin in June, but Carter asked for a continuance because of his involvement in the lengthy murder trial of Orlando Joseph Lopez Jr., whom Carter represented, and Paul Braden.
Judge David W. Herrick granted the motion.
Hinchcliff said in-court verbal questioning of jurors will commence on Wednesday and he hoped to begin calling witnesses by July 25. Lake County trials typically run Wednesday through Friday.
