Trial Update: IU Cyclist Shot In The Head
New Media Producer: Kerry Corum
UPDATE, TUE, 11:10 AM: A prosecutor in Martinsville says, Indiana University student Jill Behrman died from a shotgun blast to the back of her head, at close range.
The comments were made during opening statements at the murder trial of the man charged with her slaying.
John Myers the Second of Ellettsville plead not guilty in the slaying of the 19-year-old IU freshman, who vanished more than six years ago during a bike ride in the Bloomington area.
Her remains were found in neighboring Morgan County in March 2003.
Morgan County Prosecutor Steve Sonnega says Myers had a 12-gauge shotgun and hunted near the area where Behrman's remains were found.
He said Myers also told an aunt five days after Behrman disappeared, that he was afraid he would be blamed for her slaying because he lived in the area.
But Sonnega said at that time, authorities still did not know the woman was dead.
Myers became a suspect after his parents and other family members became suspicious and told police he was distraught because of a break-up with his girlfriend.
Myers' attorney, Patrick Baker, said in his opening statement that prosecutors have no physical evidence linking the defendant to Behrman.
UPDATE, TUE, 7:15 AM: Prosecutors in the Jill Behrman murder trial say, the case will be based largely on the recollections of about a dozen witnesses, who would link the defendant to her death.
The trial of 30-year-old John Myers of Ellettsville, Indiana is being conducted in Martinsville, Indiana.
Prosecutors say the 19-year-old Indiana University student, who disappeared six years ago, was killed by a shotgun blast to the back of the head.
The prosecution and defense made their opening statements Monday.
If convicted, Myers could face a 60-year prison sentence.
Morgan County Prosecutor Steve Sonnega told jurors, the testimony of about a dozen witnesses would connect Myers to Behrman's disappearance and death.
Martinsville, Indiana is 90 miles north-northwest of Louisville.
New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss
UPDATE, MON, 7:30 PM: In Martinsville, Indiana, opening arguments got underway Monday in the murder trial of John Meyers II. He is accused of murdering IU student Jill Behrman in 2000.
And for the first time Monday, we've learned the official cause of Behrman's death: A shotgun wound to the back of the head.
Prosecutors say Meyers hunted with a 12 gauge shotgun. And they say Meyers indicated his involvement in this murder by a comment he made to his grandmother: "If the authorities knew what I have done, I would go to prison for the rest of my life."
Behrman was 19 years old when she disappeared. Her remains were found three years later in a remote area of Morgan County.
New Media Producer: Kerry Corum
UPDATE, MON, 12:30 PM: Court records released Monday say the man on trial for the murder of Indiana University student Jill Behrman, was distraught over a break-up with his girlfriend, at the time of Behrman's disappearance.
The records also indicate that John Myers the Second suggested to his grandmother that he was guilty of a serious crime.
Myers plead not guilty to murder in the May 2000 death of the 19-year-old Indiana University student.
She vanished during a bike ride in Bloomington. Her skeletal remains were found in Morgan County in 2003.
The court records say investigators believe that Behrman was stripped naked and killed near where her body was found.
Myers turns 31 Tuesday. His trial began Monday in Morgan County Court in Martinsville.
UPDATE, MON, 12:15 PM: Court records released Monday show the man on trial for the slaying of Bloomington cyclist Jill Behrman once suggested to his grandmother he was guilty of a serious crime.
John Myers the Second of Ellettsville plead not guilty to murder, in the May 2000 death of Behrman.
According to the documents, Myers told his grandmother that he would go to prison for the rest of his life if authorities knew what he had done.
The 19-year-old Indiana University student vanished during a bike ride. Her skeletal remains were found in Morgan County in 2003.
The motion also says a former girlfriend of Myers told authorities that he stripped her naked, abused her and threatened her life. She told investigators that Myers drove her to the exact location where Behrman's remains were discovered in March 2003.
The motion says investigators believe Behrman was also stripped naked and killed at the scene.
UPDATE, MON, 6:10 AM: The trial of a man accused of killing an Indiana University student, is scheduled to begin Monday.
A grand jury indicted John Myers II of Ellettsville, on a charge of murder in April. He has plead innocent in the death of 19-year-old Jill Behrman.
The trial is expected to begin with Morgan Superior Court Judge Christopher Burnham hearing several legal motions.
Opening statements are expected to begin either Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. Testimony in the trial is expected to last at least three weeks.
Authorities have not released details on how Behrman died or a possible motive.
UPDATE, WED, 7:15 AM: Starting October 16th, 15 people will hear evidence in the murder of Jill Behrman in Morgan Superior Court in Martinsville.
But they won't know until the end of the trial, which 12 will decide the fate of the man accused of killing the 18-year-old Indiana University student.
Judge Christopher Burnham says he will wait until the end of evidence in the trial of John Myers II to select 12 to be jurors for deliberations.
Attorneys chose seven women and eight men Monday, to hear the murder case against Myers. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
Behrman vanished from Bloomington during a morning bike ride in May of 2000. Hunters found her skeletal remains in March 2003 north of Bloomington.
Previously: Jury selection begins Monday in the Jill Behrman murder case.
About 125 potential jurors have been summoned to the Morgan County, Indiana courthouse for possible selection to the hear the case against John Myers II of Ellettsville.
The 30-year-old plead not guilty to a charge of murder.
The actual trial will not begin for another two weeks, on October 16th. Attorneys expect the trial to last more than two weeks, and the jury will be sequestered during that time.
The 19-year-old Indiana University student, vanished during a morning bike ride in May 2000. Hunters found her skeletal remains in March 2003, in a densely wooded area about 15 miles north of Bloomington.
