Jury selection begins in Iowa City landlord murder case

IOWA CITY -- Attorneys arguing the case of a 19-year-old man charged in the shooting death of an Iowa City landlord in October 2009 are going through some last-minute motions this morning in a Johnson County courtroom.

Jury selection in the Charles W. Thompson murder trial is scheduled to begin early this afternoon. The trial is expected to go into next week.

Thompson, of Iowa City, is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of John Versypt, 64, of Cordova, Ill., on Oct. 8, 2009. Police discovered Versypt's body in the hallway of the Broadway Condominiums in south Iowa City with a gun lying next to him.

Versypt was shot at close range with a .38 caliber revolver in the front of his head and in his hand, according to amended trial information. Investigators believe the fatal shooting happened during an attempted robbery, and several witnesses identified Thompson as being involved.

Lab results showed clothes that Thompson was wearing at the time of the shooting contained components of gunshot residue, according to court records.

Tyler Johnston, Thompson's attorney, argued for a motion this morning that would prohibit prosecutors from presenting evidence related to a ski mask that Thompson is accused of using during the shooting and other articles of clothing that prosecutors say contain residue and evidence of his involvement.

The attorneys also debated whether testimony from a “jail house snitch” should be admitted during trial.

Judge Sean McPartland said he will do some research and make rulings on the motions later.

After the jury is seated, reporter Vanessa Miller will provide live coverage from the courtroom. Viewers can follow the live blog, ask questions and provide comments.

Justin A. Marshall, 20, also is charged in the case. Marshall, who was previously a material witness, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder last month in Texas. He was extradited to Iowa, and his trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 17.