Jury selection begins today (Tuesday) in the murder trial of Mervin Scott Drye Jr.

Drye is accused of taking part in a home invasion on Oct. 9, 2000, in a mobile home park near Abbottsburg.

Drye and three other men allegedly broke into the home of Mark and Furnie Singletary Jr., seeking money for drugs.

The Singletary brothers fought the four men, and Mark Singletary was shot. He died on a neighbor's steps while trying to call for help.

Drye was arrested at 365 Lucy Dr., Elizabethtown, three weeks after the killing. He was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and armed robbery.

Drye's co-defendants in the case, Donald Simpson, Michael Lamont Lesane, and Jamie Ellison, previously pleaded guilty to various charges.

Simpson pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2002, to second degree murder, and received 180-220 months in prison. Judgement was suspended on charges of first degree burglary and armed robbery against Simpson, pending outcome of the Drye trial.

Ellison pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. He was sentenced to 96 to 125 months in jail.

Lesane also pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact, and received a sentence of 120-153 months in jail.

Drye could get as much as life in prison in the case. Assistant District Attorney Lee Bollinger said prosecutors are not asking for the death penalty.

"We sincerely hope testimony can start Wednesday," Bollinger said.

The case was set for trial in March, but Drye's attorney at the time, Gary Grady, asked to be removed from the case, citing a conflict of interest. Superior Court Judge Floyd Ammons approved the request the day before jury selection was set to begin.

Kevin Bullard is representing Drye. Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks is scheduled to preside over the case.

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