By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Jury selection began this morning in the first-degree murder trial of Robert Douglas Earnhardt, charged with the Sept. 17, 2009, murder of his stepfather, Billy Tommy Elmore.
The trial, expected to last through the week, will begin once jurors are selected.
Earnhardt is also on trial for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury for allegedly shooting a second victim, Tiffany Marie Barbee.
Earnhardt is the son of Patty Kesler Earnhardt Elmore, the estranged wife of Billy Elmore.
Rowan Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at 165 Leisure Lane, not far from Tamarac Marina the day of the incident. Elmore was found dead when officers responded to a call of shots being fired.
Barbee had left the scene and driven to Tamarac Marina to call police after she was shot.
Patty Elmore had taken out a protective order the day before the shooting, but it had not been served.
See Tuesday’s Post for more details.