12 jurors selected in Okla. pharmacy shooting

Published: 05/19/11 - 5:31pm Written by Dick Pryor
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Twelve jurors have been selected with two alternates now needed for the trial of an Oklahoma City pharmacist charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teenager during an armed robbery. Eight women and four men were seated as jurors shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday before the trial recessed for lunch. Efforts to pick two alternate jurors will continue Thursday afternoon with opening statements to follow in the trial of Jerome Ersland.
Ersland is charged in the May 19, 2009, shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker during a robbery at a south Oklahoma City pharmacy. He's pleaded not guilty and says he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors say Ersland was justified when he shot Parker in the head and knocked him unconscious, but went too far when he shot the teen five more times.