Jury selection began this morning at 9:30 in the first-degree murder trial of a Granite Quarry man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend.

Shelly Lee Crayton, 39, could receive the death penalty if convicted.

Crayton is accused of shooting 32-year-old Sabrina Goodman three times in June 1999 because she threatened to leave him.

Monday, lawyers made pre-trial motions and a forensic psychiatrist from Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh testified about Crayton’s competence.

Dr. Nicole Wolfe testified Crayton is “capable of proceeding to trial.”

Crayton spent two weeks at Dorothea Dix Hospital after Judge Sanford Steelman ordered a psychiatric evaluation.

A psychologist, who evaluated Crayton separately at the request of his defense attorney, said the defendant hears voices and is mildly retarded.

But Wolfe, who is a psychiatrist, said she found no indication of psychosis or retardation. She said Crayton suffers from anxiety and depression disorders and problems controlling his anger.

“He described a long history of excessive worry, checking behavior — double and triple checking,” Wolfe testified.

Judge Steelman ruled Crayton is competent to stand trial and “understands charges against him and he is able to assist his attorneys.”