Santory JohnsonA jury was selected today in the first-degree murder trial of a Chattanooga man accused of fatally shooting his friend during a party in 2013.
After three hours of questioning, lawyers settled on a 14-person jury, all white and mostly male, in the case of Santory Johnson in Hamilton County Criminal Court.
Chattanooga Police say Johnson, 37, shot Christopher Jones Jr. several times during a house party on October 4, 2013, in the 4000-block of Chandler Avenue.
According to a witnesses' testimony, Johnson fired at Jones, 24, while he stood near his car.
Jones asked why Johnson he shot at the car, where his cousin, grandmother and friends were sitting.
Johnson apologized and Jones left - only to later return to the party.
Why would Johnson disrespect him by firing at his family? he asked. He told Johnson he loved his family, that he would die for them.
According to the witness, Johnson told Jones to leave, that he had almost gotten himself killed.
He then followed Jones to his car, firing at least twice through the passenger window and another two or three times through the driver's side.
Jones died before he made it to the hospital, according to an affidavit.
Check back later for details on opening statements and witness testimony.