Full jury, 6 alternates set to hear 2016 Wilkinsburg mass shooting case

A full jury and six alternates have been seated to hear the capital case against two men accused in the 2016 mass shooting in Wilkinsburg.

The final two alternates, one woman and one man, were chosen Thursday afternoon – the 13th day of jury selection.

Cheron Shelton, 32, and Robert Thomas, 31, both face six counts of homicide in relation to the March 9, 2016, mass shooting on Franklin Avenue. They could face the death penalty if convicted.

The selection process, which began Jan. 6, was contentious at times, and more than one conflict arose between the defense teams and prosecutors.

The jury consists of six men and six women. The alternates are four women and two men.

Three jurors who had already been selected were excused before the process was completed, drawing out the process. Attorneys initially expected to pick four alternate jurors, but presiding Judge Edward J. Borkowski kicked that number up to six as more seated jurors were excused.

The trial against the two men is set to begin Feb. 3 and could last up to three weeks.