Weldon murder trial begins Wednesday

UPDATE: A jury has been selected in the first-degree murder trial of Tonch Weldon, who is accused of shooting and killing a 35-year-old woman who was living with him and his family in 2009.

Opening statements will start at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Live coverage of the trial will also start at 1:30. Scroll down the page to follow the live updates from the courtroom.

A jury pool of 90 was called Tuesday in Iowa County District Court, and 77 reported for duty. There were 23 potential jurors who stated in jury questionnaires that they had knowledge of the case or were acquainted with the defendant or the victim, so they were questioned individually in chambers at the end of the day.

Weldon, 39, of Blairstown, is accused of killing Amy Gephart, who was shot once with a 20-gauge shotgun before Weldon turned the gun on himself June 7, 2009 in his home.

Gephart had been living with Weldon, his wife Amanda and their two children after she lost her job in Marengo, according to friends and co-workers interviewed by SourceMedia after the incident.

Testimony regarding Weldon's "swinger" lifestyle with his wife and Gephart is expected to be presented by the defense. Weldons attorneys will attempt to explain how Weldon, his wife and Gephart had a consensual three-way relationship, which they believe will show lack of malice and jealousy.

Reporter Trish Mehaffey is live blogging the trial. Readers/viewers can follow along and ask questions or provide comments. The trial is expected to last two weeks.