Heskett trial: Jury selection begins in first-degree murder case in disabled Lawrence man’s death

Jury selection began Monday in the first-degree murder trial of Ronald Eugene Heskett, 49, of Eudora.

Ronald Eugene Heskett, 49, of Eudora, appears in court Aug. 14, 2015. Heskett is charged with first-degree murder in the September 2014 death of 65-year-old disabled Lawrence resident, Vance Van Moulton.

Heskett is accused of killing a 65-year-old man in his care on Sept. 12, 2014. Prosecutors alleged at a preliminary hearing that Heskett suffocated Vance “Van” Moulton for financial reasons, but Heskett claimed in a police interview that it was an assisted suicide.

Moulton, of Lawrence, had cerebral palsy, which restricted his mobility. Heskett worked as a home health care attendant for Moulton, who was found dead with a towel around his neck at his residence at Prairie Ridge Place Apartments, 2424 Melrose Lane.

On Monday, 85 potential Douglas County jurors were called for voir dire, or jury selection. By the end of the day, about 16 potential jurors were dismissed.

The day began with questions directed at the entire group, such as “Do you know anyone with cerebral palsy?” and “Have you ever had a bad experience with a home health care attendant?” one potential juror said.

Individual voir dire began about 3:30 p.m. The court called it a day at 5 p.m., with about 25 potential jurors waiting for their one-on-one interviews.

Jury selection will resume Tuesday morning, but it is unclear whether it will be completed Tuesday. Once a jury is selected, the trial will begin with opening arguments.