A jury is in place and opening arguments are starting in the first degree murder trial of Almond Upton.

The Florida man is accused of intentionally accelerating his truck and running down New York State Trooper Christopher Skinner, who was conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 81 in May of 2014.

The seating of the jury was difficult due to the high profile nature of the case.

150 potential jurors were called to the Broome County Courthouse Monday, July 11 and the process concluded July 14 with 12 jurors and alternates selected.

The main focus of testimony is expected to be on Upton’s mental health as he told officials after running down Trooper Skinner that Jesus and the Devil told him to kill the officer and that he was in a “time warp.”

The maximum sentence for first degree murder in New York State is life in prison.

 

 

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM