Jury selection begins in the Matthew Slocum trial. The 24-year-old from Washington County faces 11 charges, including three counts of second degree murder. Our Matt Hunter breaks down the day.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, N.Y. -- Jury selection began Monday in the Matthew Slocum murder trial.

On the early morning of July 13th, prosecutors say Slocum walked into his mother, Lisa Harrington's home in White Creek and shot and killed her along with her husband, Dan Harrington and his son, Joshua O'Brien before burning their house to the ground.
It wasn't until later that night he was arrested in New Hampshire, where he allegedly escaped to with his girlfriend, Loretta Colegrove, and infant son. Slocum's attorneys maintain it was Colegrove who committed the crimes.

Michael Mercure, Washington County Public Defender said, “Following his arrest, Slocum allegedly made incriminating statements to state police investigators in which he admit guilt.”

Court records show that Slocum not only told investigators he used a 12 gauge shotgun, they also reveal he told police this his girlfriend, Loretta Colegrove, had no involvement in the crimes and quote "knew better than to argue with me at that point. I just shotgunned my mom, dude."

Paul DerOhannesian, Legal Expert said, “In general, it's very difficult to overcome the statements made to law enforcement, particularly if you don't have any good response to them."

Slocum's attorney, Public Defender Michael Mercure, tried to suppress those statements, arguing they were obtained illegally because a lawyer was not present at the time.
Last month, Judge Kelly McKieghan ruled the statements could be used as evidence.

DerOhannesian said, “The judge's decision to admit the statements of the defendant is very significant, particularly in this case when those statements do implicate him and do not portray him in a sympathetic light."

Starting with a pool of more than 100 candidates, the first six jurors were seated Monday afternoon. Prior to jury selection, Mercure filed a motion to have the trial postponed, due to new evidence he said he recently received from the DA's office that he's yet to review thoroughly.

Judge McKieghan has yet to rule on the defense's motion to postpone. That is expected tomorrow, as are the completion of jury selection and opening statements.