Hollister – Jury selection in the murder trial of a Hollister woman inched closer to completion Tuesday as attorneys continued to narrow the juror pool.
Jury selection for the trial of Rachael Marie Menchaca, 28, started Monday. She faces charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment, all felonies, for the death of her 9-month-old daughter Isabella Menchaca in September 2006.
The jury could be empaneled today, as 10 jurors remain from the first pool of potential jurors and 17 remain from a second pool brought in Tuesday afternoon, said Menchaca’s attorney, Greg LaForge. Questioning of the 17 people remaining from the second pool begins this morning.
Deputy District Attorney Steven Wagner, who is leading the prosecution against Menchaca, and LaForge each have 10 dismissals remaining that they can use to excuse potential jurors.
