VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A jury has now been seated in the case of the Virginia Beach man accused of injecting his ex-girlfriend with cyanide.
30-year-old Joesph Merlino was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Ellie Tran.
“I’m completely innocent and the truth will come out during the trial,” Merlino said in an interview last week.
It took all day to get a jury seated.
Jurors were asked about media coverage of the case and if they or any family members have been victims of crimes.
After going through the first round of 30 potential jurors, 17 more had to be brought in.
The jury is expected to hear lots of testimony. Prosecutors expect to call 25 witnesses.
Prosecutors say Merlino injected Tran with cyanide Valentine’s Day 2017. She died from the poison.
Merlino is in the midst of a 63-day hunger strike at the jail. He said he is being held in solitary confinement and hasn’t been able study up on his defense.
“I’m not allowed any legal work inside my cell so I can’t even work on my case for two months now,” Merlino added.
Prosecutors say that’s because Merlino was sending encrypted notes to his mom and a woman in China asking them to falsify testimony and intimidate witnesses.
Opening statements are expected first thing Wednesday morning.