Murder trial jury picked

• By BOB ANDERSON
• Advocate Florida parishes bureau
• Published: Oct 7, 2008 - Page: 4B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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LIVINGSTON — Attorneys selected a jury Monday in the murder trial of Christopher Pell, accused of killing his estranged wife at Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits in Walker in 2007.

Opening statements in the second-degree murder trial are scheduled for 9 a.m. today before 21st Judicial District Court Judge Brenda Bedsole Ricks.

Pell is accused of shooting and stabbing Janah Lynn Stern Pell, 23, in April 2007 a few days after she had obtained a protective order against him.

Authorities said that on the day of the killing, Christopher Pell obtained a pistol from a pawn shop, purchased cartridges at a Wal-Mart in Walker, went to the fast-food restaurant and began arguing with his estranged wife.

When asked to leave by a manager, Christopher Pell pulled the gun and shot Janah Pell, Police Chief Hunter Grimes said at the time of the incident.

After the gun jammed, Christopher Pell put it aside and followed his estranged wife to the back of the restaurant, where he stabbed her several times, authorities have said.

An employee grabbed a fire extinguisher and came to the defense of the victim, but wasn’t able to prevent the killing, police have said.

The assailant fled on foot from the back of the restaurant on Walker Road South into a wooded area, police have said.

After a four-hour manhunt that included dogs and a helicopter, authorities took Christopher Pell into custody.

At the end of a subsequent sanity hearing, state District Court Judge Robert Morrison found Christopher Pell capable of standing trial.

A forensic psychiatrist testified in that hearing that Christopher Pell had an IQ score that put him in a “mild mental retardation range,” but Pell is capable of assisting in his defense.

Shortly after Pell was incarcerated, he apparently suffered from depression, auditory hallucinations and nightmares, Dr. Jose Artecona testified.

The doctor testified Christopher Pell had been put on medication, “his symptoms had abated,” and he was competent to stand trial.