Justin Barkley murder trial: Jury selection begins

The trial of a Dryden man accused of murdering a UPS driver just over one year ago in Ithaca's Walmart parking lot began Monday with jury selection.

Justin Barkley is accused of shooting 52-year-old Candor resident William Schumacher, running him over with a truck, and later shooting at responding police officers following a standoff in Dryden in December 2016.

During his arraignment, Barkley said he thought he was shooting then-President-elect Donald Trump.

Although Barkley was ruled mentally incompetent after preliminary mental examinations in January, prosecutors are following through with the case against him.

After his examinations, Barkley was transferred to a New York State mental health institution for more evaluation. There, he was determined mentally competent and capable of assisting with his own defense.

Tompkins County Judge John Rowley thus ruled Barkley competent for trial during a court appearance in March.

Jury selection began Monday.

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Justin Barkley murder trial: Jury selection starts Jan. 8 in Tompkins County Court

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