SKOWHEGAN — Jury selection in the case of Daniel L. Fortune, 22, of Augusta, began Tuesday in Somerset County Superior Court.
More than 130 potential jurors reported to court and filled out a questionnaire asking whether they could fairly decide a case involving an individual or individuals of a minority race.
Fortune, who is black, faces 14 criminal charges: four counts of aggravated attempted murder, two counts each of elevated aggravated assault and violation of conditions of release, and one count each of attempted murder, robbery, burglary, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, and failure to appear in court.
The charges are connected to a predawn machete attack at the Pittston home of the Guerrette family and a Nov. 17, 2007, theft from the same residence.
The machete attack left businessman and former legislator William Guerrette Jr., now 50, and his daughter, Nicole, now 12, hospitalized for weeks with severe injuries.
The case was transferred from Kennebec County—site of the home invasion May 27, 2008, and the theft of more than $100,000—at the request of Fortune’s attorney, Pamela Ames.
Justice Michaela Murphy, who is presiding over the trial, told jurors the trial will begin Thursday and run through next week.
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