Jury selection begins in ex-Dallas Cowboy's trial

DALLAS, Texas – Jury selection in the intoxication manslaughter case against former Dallas Cowboys player Josh Brent started Thursday, reports CBS Dallas/Fort Worth. Brent is accused of driving drunk and killing Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown in a December 2012 car crash in Irving, Texas.

Police reported that Brent was driving under the influence of alcohol and lost control of his vehicle, crashing and killing Brown, a close friend.

The high profile nature of the case necessitated a switch of courtrooms at the last minute for the selection process.

“The citizens of Dallas County will decide whether or not Mr. Brent should be held accountable and, if he is, what the appropriate punishment should be,” said Assistant Criminal District Attorney Heath Harris.

Brown’s mother has suffered greatly throughout the entire process, stated defense attorney George Milner. “It’s as if she had two sons and one of them died in a car accident,” he said. “Josh is like a son to her.”

Brent could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.