PICKENS — A jury has been selected and the trial has begun in the case that will determine the fate of the man accused of killing an Easley pawn broker more than three years ago.
Roger Eugene Shepherd was charged with murder following an incident that took the life of John Larry Bruin at the Action Pawn Shop in Easley. Shepherd also faces felony charges of assault with intent to kill, armed robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime.
Bruin, 65, was shot in the chest and robbed on June 15, 2006, and a man’s image was captured on the store surveillance video, according to police.
The Courier reported in June of 2008 that after nearly two years in Canada, the man accused in Bruin’s killing was in custody.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested Shepherd two days after Bruin’s murder in a Montreal hotel, but Canadian authorities refused to turn him over to local police since capital punishment was a possibility.
Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor Bob Ariail agreed not to seek the death penalty in order to arrange Shepherd’s return.
Jury selection was held Monday at the Pickens County Courthouse for Shepherd’s trial, which is expected to last some time.
Murder trial begins in slaying of Easley pawn shop owner
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