Jury selection begins in Tyo murder trial

ALLEGAN, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - It's been six months since Troy Tyo's murder.

He disappeared in early December last year. Nearly a week later hunters found his body in his burned out truck.

Prosecutors say Tyo's ex-wife Dena Thompson urged her husband Kris to carry out the murder. Kris Thompson's sister Lori Lathrop and her husband Scott also face charges related to the crime.

In Allegan County, about 160 potential jurors were summoned Monday. The county called double the number of people for potential juror duty due to the high profile nature of the case.

Possible jurors showed up for questioning in court on the first day of the trial.

That jury selection is expected to take all day Monday as so many people in Allegan county are familiar with this case.

During interviews following the murder, Dena first admitted she knew her husband was planning to assault Tyo, then revealed more.

Attempts to keep that confession from being played during trial were denied.

Last February Judge Joseph Skocelas read back Thompson's very words. "I wanted Troy taken out of the picture, to be gone for good. I guess to be killed."

Now, the 38 year old will be the first to go to trial.

Family members and spectators were not allowed in court for jury selection.

The court says it expects the trial could last up to two weeks.