Murder trial to get under way in Minot

MINOT (AP) — Jury selection is set to begin here in the case of a man authorities say was killed after a fight involving a gun and a scythe.

Antonio Stridiron, 32, of Minot, is charged with murder in the shooting death of Joshua Velas-quez, 27, last July 29. Bradley Davis, 27, of Minot, is charged with aggravated assault.

The two have pleaded not guilty and are to be tried together. Attorneys on Monday are to start whittling down the jury pool, from 104 people down to 12 jurors and two alternates.

Northwest District Judge Douglas Mattson is overseeing the trial. The judge, who earlier denied a request by Stridiron’s attorney to move the trial out of Minot, last week also denied a gag order that defense attorney Robert Martin had re-quested for attorneys in the case.

Stridiron is accused of shooting to death Velas-quez, a former Minot State University football player originally from Pittsburg, Calif., in an alley. Davis, 27, is accused of striking Velasquez several times in the head with a scythe, a grass-cutting tool with a long wooden handle attached to a curved blade.

Authorities say the incident took place across the street from the residences of Davis and Stridiron, during a party celebrating Davis’ July 28 wedding. Witnesses told police that Velasquez was looking for a fight when he arrived shortly before 2 a.m.

Authorities say Davis eventually attacked Velas-quez with the scythe, and Stridiron shot Velasquez five times with a handgun as he lay on the ground. The state medical examiner said one bullet pierced the aorta, killing Velasquez.

Police said they recovered a 9 mm handgun from the basement of Stridiron’s home.

Stridiron could face life in prison without parole if convicted. Davis faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

Tags: crime, murder, trial, davis, minot, stridiron