Jury Selection Begins In Murder Trial Of Former Tulsa Police Officer

Jury selection began Monday morning for the trial of a former Tulsa police officer accused of killing his daughter's boyfriend.

There was no testimony given Monday but it was a definite beginning for the trial of Shannon Kepler.

Kepler is the former Tulsa Police Officer charged with the 2014 murder of his daughter's 19-year-old boyfriend.

Shannon Kepler's wife Gina was in the courtroom as potential jurors filled out a questionnaire about their thoughts on the case.

Former police officer Kepler is about to stand trial.

10/3/2016 Related Story: Murder Trial Delayed For Former Tulsa Cop Shannon Kepler

The case has shifted between several judges and through several planned starts only to be delayed.

Kepler has stayed free on bond most of the two years since the shooting death of Jeremy Lake, his daughter's boyfriend.

It happened on a street corner near downtown, just outside the house where Lake lived.

Kepler's daughter, Lisa, identified him as the shooter.

In court Monday, 60 members of the jury pool filled out the lengthy questionnaire.

In addition to resume-type questions, potential jurors were asked if they had been victims of crimes, if they had connections to attorneys in the case. 

They were also asked: How would you evaluate the testimony of an officer? Have you posted on social media about the case? Do you belong to "We the People Oklahoma"?

In court, but without potential jurors in the room, the lawyers argued over how much about Lisa Kepler's character would be introduced at trial and how to explain that Shannon Kepler had a gun while off duty because all Tulsa officers carry guns even when not in uniform.

Many of the jurors had questions for the judge about their responses.

The lawyers will review the forms overnight and start questioning jurors in person Tuesday.

Kepler's trial will begin later this week.