Jury selection begins for Seley, charged with first-degree murder

Jury selection in State of Iowa vs. Dustin James Seley got underway Tuesday in the Adair County Courthouse. Judge Thomas P. Murphy will preside.

Assistant Attorney General Andrew Prosser, assisted by Adair County Attorney Melissa Larson, will prosecute the case. Attorney Jill Eimermann is Seley’s court-appointed attorney.

During jury selection, Prosser questioned potential jurors, looking to narrow down the jury pool of 64 people into a panel of 14 that will hear charges brought forth by the state accusing Seley of murder in the first degree – “without justification, having malice aforethought, willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation.”

Prosser asked potential jurors to what extent they are familiar with the case, if they know the defendant, the deceased, or any witnesses or other individuals involved with the case or trial. Both Prosser and Eimermann, asked jurors about their ability to be impartial and base their opinions solely on the evidence as it is presented during the trial.

The victim in the case has been identified as Timothy Charles Fechter of Creston.

Fechter, the biological brother of Seley, was reported missing to Creston Police June 21. His body was discovered July 1 in a farm field adjacent to 320th Avenue in Adair County.

Seley, 43, has pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him, according to arraignment documents filed Sept. 3 with the Iowa Courts.

Judge Murphy anticipates the trial will last five days. Jury selection is expected to continue 9 a.m. Wednesday when court resumes. Opening statements are expected to be made Wednesday.