MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Everett judge suggests arena for jury selection in murder trial

Oct 26, 2012, 1:27 PM | Updated: 1:53 pm

A judge thinks the courthouse in Everett might not be large enough to pick a jury in the murder trial of a Monroe prison inmate.

The initial jury pool could top 1,000 people and the Snohomish County Superior Court judge in the trial of Byron Scherf suggested that the court might use Comcast Arena to narrow the number of potential jurors.

At a hearing Friday, attorneys for Scherf, objected to Comcast Arena, pointing out that a memorial service was held there for Jayme Biendl.

Scherf is charged with aggravated murder for killing the 34-year-old corrections officer in the prison chapel last year at Monroe Penitentiary. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Prosecutors want jury selection confined to the courthouse. Trial is scheduled for next March.

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