Jury selection begins in 1966 shooting of Phila. officer

Jury selection in the trial of William J. Barnes - accused of murdering Philadelphia Police Officer Walter T. Barclay Jr., who died 41 years after he was shot - started Monday, while opening arguments are scheduled for next week.

The trial is unusual for the length of time between the incident, which happened on Nov. 27, 1966, and the officer's death, which came in 2007.

Barnes, 73, shot Barclay after the officer found him burglarizing a beauty parlor on East Oak Lane. The officer was 23 at the time.

Convicted of attempted murder and related charges, Barnes served 26 years in prison for the shooting and for several escape attempts.

The murder charge was brought against Barnes after Barclay, paralyzed from the waist down by the shooting, died of a urinary-tract infection at 64. The central question will be whether the 1966 shooting can be directly linked to Barclay's death.

Assistant District Attorney Edward Cameron will contend that it did, and Barclay's family said he suffered recurring infections and constant pain for 41 years.

Defense attorney Samuel W. Silver will attempt to prove that other incidents after the shooting, including at least one accident in his modified vehicle, were factors in Barclay's death.

There was no autopsy when Barclay died. Seven months later, District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham had his body exhumed and an autopsy was conducted.

Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes is overseeing the case.