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Jury selection began Monday in Macon County for the trial of William Chase Johnson who is charged with the 2019 murder of Lowndes County Sheriff John “Big John” Williams.

Nearly five years after Williams’ fatal Nov. 23, 2019 shooting at the Hayneville QV, Johnson’s trial begins under Judge Bert Rice. Prosecuting the case are attorneys with the offices Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and District Attorney Charlotte Tesmer.

Jury selection is expected to take some time, but court officials expect to have a jury in place before the weekend.

More than 100 potential jurors queued up Monday to begin the process. Roughly half were sent home due to lack of space inside the courthouse, and 65 stayed for consideration. As of Tuesday, 38 others returned and both groups were set to report to the courthouse Wednesday.

Johnson stands trial on charges of capital murder for Williams’ death. At the time of the shooting, Williams had attempted to break up a crowd at the QV before sustaining fatal gunshot wounds.

At the crime scene, Johnson admitted to shooting the Sheriff, but has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. He is currently housed in the Lee County Detention Center.

The judge has said the trial could take two to three weeks before a verdict is reached.