Jury selection underway in Dustin Jefferson murder trial in Tama County 

TAMA - Jury selection began Monday morning for a Tama County man accused of killing his wife, or assisting his mother in the fatal stabbing, in 2013.

Dustin Jefferson, 38, is charged with first-degree murder. He is accused of killing or aiding and abetting in the killing of his wife. Kerry O'Clair Jefferson, 32, Sept. 25, 2013, according to the criminal complaint. Dustin Jefferson's mother, Ginger Jefferson, was convicted of killing her daughter-in-law in May 2014.

Dustin Jefferson's first trial last December ended in a mistrial after the second day of jury selection was halted because the defense claimed the racial makeup of the jury panel didn't represent a jury of peers for Jefferson, who is a member of the Meskwaki Settlement. There were only two out of 84 members of the jury panel who identified as Native American, and several residents of the county didn't show up for jury duty.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Mary Chicchelly said during a previous hearing that she would direct clerks to call any residents who don't appear for jury selection.

A clerk said Monday there were a few who didn't show up, but the makeup of the panel wasn't an issue this time.

The trial is expected to go into next week.

According to testimony in Ginger Jefferson's trial, she stabbed her daughter-in-law twice in the neck during an argument after O'Clair Jefferson told police where to find Dustin Jefferson that day. There was a felony warrant out for his arrest on sexual abuse charges.

During that trial, the defense attempted to implicate Dustin Jefferson in the crime. According to testimony, about 10 minutes after O'Clair Jefferson's call to police, they found Dustin Jefferson driving up to his cousin's home, where O'Clair Jefferson was killed.

Police testified Dustin Jefferson didn't immediately get out of the car and at one point, he appeared to consider an escape. Instead, got out of the car and told them his wife might be dead.

One officer also testified Jefferson had blood on his clothing.

If convicted, Dustin Jefferson faces life in prison without parole.

His trial on sexual abuse charges stemming from May 2013 is set for Nov. 16.