LIVE COVERAGE: Charles Thompson murder trial

Testimony will resume today in the first-degree murder trial of an Iowa City teenager accused in the fatal shooting of landlord John Versypt, 64, on Oct. 8, 2009.

Opening statements started the trial Wednesday afternoon following two full days of jury selection. A 14-person jury, including two alternates, was seated about 1 p.m. Eight women and six men are tasked with deciding the fate of Charles W. Thompson, 19.

Thompson is accused of shooting Versypt at close range with a .38 caliber revolver in his head and in his hand, according to amended trial information. Investigators believe the shooting happened during an attempted robbery.

Versypt's body was discovered in the hallway of the Broadway Condominiums with a gun lying next to him, according to police. Several witnesses identified Thompson as being involved, and lab results returned components of gunshot residue on clothes that Thompson was wearing at the time of the crime.

Justin A. Marshall, 20, also is charged with first-degree murder in the case. Marshall previously was a material witness in the case but was arrested last month in Texas and extradited back to Iowa.

His trial is scheduled for Jan. 17.

During opening statements on Wednesday, Thompson's defense attorney Tyler Johnston told jurors that his client was playing video games with his girlfriend at the time of the crime, and that he “wasn't there.”

Johnston said Thompson's girlfriend confirmed the alibi to police, but the attorney accused investigators of pressuring her to change her story. She eventually told police that she fell asleep on the bed that night, according to Johnston.

Johnston said Marshall told police to look into Thompson, to get their focus away from him.

Follow Vanessa Miller's live coverage from the courtroom today. Viewers can follow her live blog, ask questions and provide comments. The trial is expected to continue into next week.