Jury Selection Begins in Triple-Murder Case

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- William Davis is on trial for opened fire on his two sisters and an 87-year-old woman, killing all three women.

Jury selection for the trial began Monday, and anytime the death penalty is sought in a capital murder case it raises the stakes over who will return the verdict. Seating the 12 jurors is a painstaking process, and one that prosecutors aren't taking lightly.

The jurors will soon get to decide whether the 52-year-old should live or die. The jurors were reviewed 15 at a time and behind closed doors.

"Our courts have in ruling in the past, these times of examinations are done in chambers, yet the courtroom is still open," said NEWS 9 Legal Analyst Irven Box. "In this case, the courtroom is closed, which is a little different."

The case is also unusual because the only witness to the crime is Brent Link, a legally blind golfer.

Link is the husband of one of the victims.

According to this arrest warrant, Link wrestled the shotgun from Davis and beat him severely. Link is considered the star witness for the prosecution.

"I think based on what I've seen and heard and read, I think he'll make an excellent witness for the state," Box said.

Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn talked about the pre-trial publicity the case generated.

Mashburn said half of the jurors aren't familiar with the case and the test will be to see if they can set aside what they've heard and focus on testimony.

Jury selection is expected to wrap up by the end of the week.