13 jurors selected so far for Marissa Shephard's 1st-degree murder trial

Thirteen jurors have been selected so far for Marissa Shephard's first-degree murder and arson trial in connection with the 2015 death of Moncton teen Baylee Wylie.

Four women and three men were sworn in Tuesday, joining the four men and two women selected Monday.

Normally, only 12 jurors are required, but because Shephard's trial could extend into June, 14 jurors will be chosen, along with two alternates, in case anyone gets sick or is unable to attend for any other reason.

Only 12 jurors will deliberate, however.

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The final juror and two alternates are expected to be chosen on Wednesday, when the process resumes in Moncton's Court of Queen's Bench at 9:30 a.m. Fifty prospective jurors are scheduled to appear.

Justice Zoël Dionne has asked for all jurors to convene by 1:30 p.m.

Shephard, 22, of Moncton, pleaded not guilty Monday to first-degree murder and arson with disregard for human life.

Wylie's burned and beaten body was discovered by firefighters on Dec. 17, 2015.

The 18-year-old was found bound in plastic wrap, tied to a chair and severely beaten and stabbed, with up to 200 wounds.

About 135 people were rejected or excused from jury duty over the two-day selection process for a variety of reasons, ranging from knowing people involved in the case, to having a loved one who was the victim of a crime, to the financial hardships they would suffer by serving on such a lengthy trial.

One man told the court he's getting married in May.

"You could invite us," the judge joked.

"I'd prefer to avoid that," the man replied before being dismissed.

Another man was "set aside" because he said he wasn't sure if he would get paid during the trial. He is not a juror but could be called back, if needed.

At least three people failed to appear in court for jury selection, as ordered. Under the provincial Jury Act, they could be held in contempt and each face a fine of $1,000.

Shephard followed the proceedings from a chair beside her defence lawyer, Gilles Lemieux, rather than from the prisoner's box.

She has been participating in the selection process, discussing with Lemieux whether they should accept or reject each prospective juror.

A total of 1,200 people were sent summonses as potential jurors for the trial. The majority were previously excused by the sheriff's office for reasons laid out in the Jury Act.

On Monday, 236 people who lined up outside the courthouse were randomly assigned days to attend court for possible jury selection.

There is a publication ban on any information that would identify the jurors.

Shephard, who has been in custody for two years, is the third person to be prosecuted in Wylie's death.

Devin Morningstar, 21, was found guilty in November 2016 of first-degree murder and arson with disregard for human life. He was sentenced in January 2017 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

During his trial, the courtroom heard Morningstar told police about drug use and violence leading up to Wylie's death. 

Tyler Noel, 20, pleaded guilty last May to second-degree murder. The agreed statement of facts presented at his sentencing said Noel attacked Wylie the evening before his death, beating and stabbing him.