Trial Begins Once Again For Johnny Wells
By: Jackie Smith
Updated: March 22, 2011
ODESSA -- His first trial ended in a mistrial, after it was discovered that one of the jurors couldn't read English. Now, Johnny Lee Wells was back in court for his new murder trial.
More than 20 years after Virgina Washelesky was stabbed to death, the man charged with murder in her death is finally standing trial.
Johnny Lee Well, 54, has been charged with capital murder in Washlesky's August 24th 1990 death. This after D.N.A. evidence was brought back to light in 2004. On Tuesday at the Ector County Courthouse, District Attorney Bobby Bland and defense attorney Jason Leech spent hours picking out their jury for the second time. The prosecution and defense were taking their time, vetting possible jurors and making sure this jury will be able to move forward with the trial.
This time around they picked seven men and seven women, two of those will act as alternates. With a charge of capital murder, the prosecution will have to prove more than just murder. They will also have to prove that Wells either committed aggravated sexual assault, burglary, or robbery.
Bland will not be seeking the death penalty in this case, but Wells is facing life in prison. Attorneys will lay out the evidence tomorrow morning. Big 2 will be covering this trial all this week, so stick with us for the very latest.
