Jury is seated in Muldoon trial

Opening statements in the first-degree murder trial of Lee Muldoon, 25, of Coggon, will be 9 a.m. Thursday in Linn County District Court.

Muldoon is accused of killing his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter Skylar Inman on July 11, 2008. Skylar died from blunt force injuries. He is also charged with child endangerment causing death and if convicted on both counts faces life in prison without parole.

Skylar's mother  Brianna Volesky, 20, of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty earlier this year to neglect of a child and involuntary manslaughter. She will testify against Muldoon during the trial.

A 12 -member jury and four alternates were seated late Wednesday after three long days of jury selection. Many were excused or dismissed for various reasons including medical, employment and lack of impartiality. Some members of the panel who were dismissed told the judge they had already formed an opinion as to guilt or innocence.

The trial is expected to go three more more weeks.