LUVERNE -- It took four days and 82 prospective jurors, but a jury has been seated in Rock County District Court for the trial of accused murderer Randy LeeRoyal Swaney.
Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The trial is scheduled on the court calendar through Aug. 15.
Swaney is accused of murdering Blue Mounds State Park worker Carrie Nelson in May 2001. He was not charged with Nelson's murder until six years later, when DNA from a watch found at the scene of the crime was matched with his own DNA while he was in a South Dakota prison on unrelated charges.
For the past year, Swaney has been incarcerated in the Nobles County Jail, unable to make the $1 million bail set by Judge Timothy Connell, who will preside over the trial.
While each prospective juror was questioned by the defense on their feelings about a person who did not testify on behalf of themselves, one member of the defense team stated whether Swaney takes the stand or not remains to be seen. Statements made by the prosecution indicate Swaney's taking the stand is doubtful.
ADVERTISEMENT
The prosecution will be handled by Minnesota Assistant Attorney Generals Bill Klumpp and Matthew Frank and Rock County Attorney Don Klosterbuer. Swaney's team of public defenders consists of Louis Kuchera, Robert Docherty and John Scholl.
