Opening statements begin today in Linn County trial for murder of homeless man

UPDATE: Opening statements begin at 2:15 p.m. for Travis Standlee, accused of strangling to death a man who was found dead in a church parking lot last September.

Jury selected started Tuesday, and a jury was selected just before 1 p.m. today.

Standlee, 44, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Raymond Ursino, 56. Ursino's body was found on Sept. 5. Police said surveillance video showed Standlee and Ursino fighting near where Ursino's body was found.

Standlee is claiming self-defense and/or intoxication, according to court documents.

Lawyers told 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady that the trial is expected to go into next week.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Jury selection started Tuesday for a man accused of strangling a man to death last September, with the body later found in a church parking lot.

Travis Standlee is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Raymond Ursino, 56, who was found dead Sept. 5. Police said surveillance video showed Standlee and Ursino fighting near where Ursino's body was found.

Standlee, 44, is claiming self-defense and/or intoxication, according to court documents.

Lawyers told 6th Judicial District Chief Judge Patrick Grady that the trial is expected to go into next week.

Prospective jurors filled out questionnaires in the morning, which helps the selection process, and Assistant Linn County Attorney Jordan Schier finished his questioning in the afternoon and Standlee's lawyer, David Grinde, began asking his questions. Opening statements may be Wednesday afternoon.

Standlee also is accused of killing Sharon Mead, 41, whose body was found Sept. 11 near a bus stop at Coe College.

According to a criminal complaint, Ursino and Mead both were strangled and had 'strikingly similar injuries.” Police found fingerprints on a can near Mead's body. Standlee was arrested Sept. 22 at a homeless shelter in Des Moines.

He had been arrested in Ursino's death Sept. 9, but the next day, Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said there was not enough evidence to charge him, and he asked police to continue the investigation.

Standlee was released from jail Sept. 10, and Mead was killed the next day.

Vander Sanden and Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman refused to comment on the circumstances surrounding Standlee's release and his subsequent actions, because the investigation is ongoing.

Standlee's trial in Mead's death is set for Aug. 22.

If convicted of both charges, Standlee faces two life sentences.