(June 17, 2008)—A seven-woman, five-man jury was seated Monday in Gatesville for the capital murder trial of Stephen Dean Hogankamp, 24, of Copperas Cove.
Hogankamp is accused of the murder of 71-year-old Kenneth Eugene Smith of Copperas Cove, whose body was found in the bedroom of his burned out home at 1919 Pleasant Lane on Oct. 1, 2006, after firefighters extinguished the flames that engulfed the residence.
Investigators said at the time they believed the fire was set intentionally to cover up Smith's death.
Smith was listed on the Texas Department of Public Safety's website as a sex offender.
Smith's niece, Terryl Henderson, of Pratt, Kan., said her uncle had lived alone since his wife died on Thanksgiving Day in 2005 and was particular about whom he allowed to enter his home.
Hogankamp has long held that he killed Smith because the elder man had sexually assaulted him.
Jury selection took place Monday in the Gatesville City Auditorium because Coryell County’s 52nd District Courtroom is undergoing renovations.
Opening statements are expected to take place at the District Courthouse Tuesday.
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