QUILCENE — Did Gary L. Middleton Sr. shoot Douglas “Tony” Knight in self-defense or as part of a premeditated act?
That’s the question expected to be answered this week in a first-degree murder trial slated to begin today in Jefferson County Superior Court in Port Townsend.
Middleton, 61, of Quilcene, is accused of shooting Knight to death April 28 outside the Maple Grove Motel.
Middleton claims the shooting occurred while he was intervening in a domestic dispute between Knight and Knight’s wife, Donna.
Middleton faces a maximum term of life in prison if convicted.
Eighty Jefferson County residents who received summons last week will file into the Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, today as jury selection begins.
County Clerk Marianne Walters said 12 jurors and two alternates will be chosen.
“We anticipate we’ll have a jury by mid-afternoon,” Walters said.
The trial is expect to last four to five days.
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