Trial begins: Del. man accused of murder on elementary school grounds

DOVER, Del. – Things got off to a slow start for Rodney West’s murder trial on Monday.

Day one consisted only of jury selection with dozens of potential jurors addressing possible conflicts they may have with the case like bias or a relationship with any of the almost forty witnesses listed.

The trial stems from allegations that Rodney West shot and killed Derrick Combs last year on August 28th. The shooting happened around 10 p.m. at Towne Point Elementary School in Dover. Dover Police say they responded to the school and found the 39-year-old dead with several gunshot wounds. West, who is 54 years old, was an employee of the Capital School District. But officials say the shooting had nothing to do with the school.

Right now, there isn’t any specific information about what led up to Combs’ death but those details are expected in the coming days.

Opening arguments are set for first thing Tuesday morning. The judge expects this trial to last for about ten days.

West is also facing charges for possession of a firearm during commission of felony. He is being held at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on a $700,000 cash bond.

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