Olathe, KS – Jury selection began Monday in the murder trial of an avowed white supremacist who admitted to gunning down three people outside of two suburban Kansas City Jewish centers last year.
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Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., of Aurora, Missouri, could get the death penalty if he’s convicted of capital murder. The 74-year-old has admitted to the media and during pretrial hearings that he drove to Overland Park, Kansas, on April 13, 2014, with the intent to kill Jews. All three of the victims were Christian.
Miller, who is representing himself, showed up in court dressed in a jacket and tie and with his hair neatly combed. He has chronic emphysema and has said he doesn’t think he has long to live, and he has attended hearings since his arrest using a wheelchair equipped with an oxygen tank.
Miller, who is also known as Frazier Glenn Cross, is accused of gunning down Dr. William Lewis Corporon, 69, and his 14-year-old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood, in the parking lot of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City before killing Terri LaManno, 53, outside of a nearby Jewish retirement home.
Two-hundred prospective jurors were being questioned Monday to determine which of them would be able to serve. Those not excused due to hardship will return Tuesday to be questioned by Miller and prosecutors. The judge said jury selection could take most of the week and the trial could last three to four weeks more.
Miller fired his three attorneys in May, saying the only way he would get a chance to speak during the trial was if he represented himself. Ryan allowed him to do that, but ordered his attorneys to remain involved as stand-by counsel to help Miller with routine filing tasks and to be available if he is kicked out of the courtroom.
During pretrial hearings, Miller made disparaging remarks about the judge, prosecutors and witnesses who testified. Ryan warned Miller earlier this month that any outbursts in front of jurors could result in his removal from the courtroom or in a mistrial.