Officer Robert Jorg on the first day of his trial Monday. (Michael E. Keating photos) | ZOOM |

        Opening statements will begin today in the manslaughter trial of Cincinnati police Officer Robert “Blaine” Jorg after 12 jurors and four alternates were seated Monday.

        This morning, jurors will view the parking lot of the Roselawn gas station where Officer Jorg and four other officers wrestled with Roger Owensby Jr. Nov. 7 in their attempts to arrest him.

        Prosecutors intend to prove that Officer Jorg killed Mr. Owensby with a choke hold that was applied too tightly.

        Defense attorney R. Scott Croswell intends to prove that medical examiners made a mistake when they determined that Mr. Owensby's death was a homicide.

        Officer Jorg, 30, is charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor assault in the death of the 29-year-old College Hill man.

Roger Owensby Sr. sits in the courtoom with his attorney, John Helbling. | ZOOM |

        A jury of seven women and five men, along with four male alternates, was impaneled Monday after more than four hours of jury selection. The jury consists of 10 whites and two blacks. The alternates are white. Their jobs range from a factory laborer to a deputy sheriff.

        Mr. Croswell told jurors Monday that he intends to “sharply challenge” the coroner's findings on Mr. Owensby.

        And, despite requesting a change of venue because he believed he wouldn't be able to seat an impartial jury, Mr. Croswell did not object to any of the people who were eventually named to the panel.

        Court officials anticipated that it might be days before a jury could be seated in this case and sent 75 prospective jurors to the courtroom.

Owensby

        About 23 people were excused during preliminary questioning Monday because of work conflicts, doctor appointments, lack of day care or in one case, contributing to the defense funds of Officers Jorg and Patrick E. Caton.

        Officer Caton is accused of striking Mr. Owensby and was charged with misdemeanor assault. His trial begins Wednesday.

        At some point on Nov. 7, after being handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car, Mr. Owensby lost consciousness, officials said. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital.

        Both trials are expected to last two weeks.

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