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Jury selection begins in Oklahoma City pharmacy murder case against two alleged robbery planners

Potential jurors filled out two-page questionnaires Monday as a murder trial got under way in Oklahoma County for two men accused of planning a pharmacy robbery.

BY NOLAN CLAY nclay@opubco.com | Published: April 19, 2011

Potential jurors filled out two-page questionnaires Monday as a murder trial got under way for two men accused of planning a pharmacy robbery.

Anthony D. Morrison, 44, and Emanuel D. Mitchell, 33, are charged under Oklahoma's felony murder law, which allows a robber to be convicted of murder if an accomplice dies during the crime.

photo - Pharmacist Jerome Ersland sits in the courtroom of Judge Ray Elliott at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, OK, as the judge conducts a hearing on a request for him to step down from his trial, Monday, Dec. 6, 2010. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Pharmacist Jerome Ersland sits in the courtroom of Judge Ray Elliott at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, OK, as the judge conducts a hearing on a request for him to step down from his trial, Monday, Dec. 6, 2010. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

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Article Gallery: Jury selection begins in Oklahoma City pharmacy murder case against two alleged robbery planners

The two are accused of coercing two teenagers, Antwun “Speedy” Parker, 16, and Jevontai Ingram, then 14, into robbing the Reliable Discount Pharmacy in south Oklahoma City in 2009.

A pharmacist, Jerome Jay Ersland, fatally shot Parker. The shooting attracted national attention when prosecutors charged the pharmacist with first-degree murder. Ersland's trial is set to begin May 16.

The key witness against Morrison and Mitchell will be Ingram, now 16. He pleaded guilty last year to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit robbery for his role.

Oklahoma County District Judge Kenneth Watson agreed to use questionnaires so prosecutors and defense attorneys can assess how much the 129 potential jurors already know about the case. The trial is expected to last two weeks. Testimony could begin Thursday.