Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morning in the first-degree murder trial of a Kansas City, Kan., man accused in the 2006 shooting of a Lawrence hip-hop artist.

Attorneys spent most of Monday questioning a panel of prospective jurors in the case of Durrell Jones, 26. Jones is accused of taking part in the death of 28-year-old Anthony Vital, whose body was found in a field west of Lawrence Oct. 15, 2006, after he was shot three times.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Amy McGowan told the jury pool Monday that prosecutors would allege Vital was shot because he owed Jones money for supplying Vital with the drug PCP.

According to court records, co-defendant Major C. Edwards Jr., 31, of Lawrence, is expected to testify at the trial about Jones providing drugs to Vital. Edwards pleaded guilty in March 2010 to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter for Vital’s death.

At 4 p.m. Monday, attorneys finished selecting the jury. Family members of Jones looked on Monday and said they support him.

“We believe in God. We’re going to put it in God’s hands,” the family said in a brief statement after the jury was selected.