Jury selection begins in trial for Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin

The trial of Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin began Monday, with the court starting the long process of choosing jurors to decide the case.

Early Monday, 150 potential jurors gathered at the Thurston County Courthouse. In the next few days, 12 jurors and three alternates will be chosen from the pool.

Thompson and Chaplin are facing assault charges resulting from an alleged May 21, 2015, attack on Olympia Police Officer Ryan Donald, who was attempting to apprehend the brothers after responding to a report of an assault on a supermarket employee. Both men were shot during the altercation with Donald, who was cleared of any wrong-doing.

Each suspect faces two counts of second-degree assault, and Chaplin faces an additional charge of third-degree assault related to an alleged confrontation with the west Olympia supermarket employee before Donald tried to apprehend the men.

Chaplin also faces three counts of third-degree theft, based on allegations that he stole items from the supermarket. Thompson faces one related count of third-degree theft.

Chaplin’s attorney, George Trejo, said that his client might enter guilty pleas to the theft charges. The issue will likely be discussed early Tuesday.

Judge Gary Tabor ruled Monday that he won’t allow spectators in the courtroom to wear shirts featuring the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” or any other relevant political statement on their clothing. He said that he would not allow spectators to communicate with the jury, and that such a shirt could influence the jury.

This story was originally published November 7, 2016 at 2:38 PM with the headline "Jury selection begins in trial for Andre Thompson and Bryson Chaplin."