Four jurors selected in Day One of Jonathan Kelly trial

Jury selection got underway Tuesday at the trial of 29-year old Jonathan Kelly.Kelly, of Galesburg, is accused of murdering 26-year old mother and wife, Jenni McGruder, also of Galesburg, on April 1, 2018 outside the Seminary Street Pub early in the morning.

Police say she was an innocent bystander that was near a fight that broke outside the now-closed bar.

Kelly, in a gray shirt and tie, sat next to his attorney Michael Biannucci Tuesday as Knox County residents that would potentially decide his fate were interviewed.

Panels of six were questioned in the courtroom by Judge Scott Shiplett, Biannucci and State’s Attorney John Pepmeyer.

Four were selected for the jury Tuesday, two men/two women, including three that admitted they had at least had a “general recollection” of McGruder’s killing from news reports.

But the four selected also said they could be fair and impartial.

That leaves another 10 to be found, needing 12 jurors and two alternates.

The courtroom was full of spectators including friends and family of McGruder.

Jury selection will continue Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. with the trial expected to at least go through next Monday.

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