Potential jurors for the State vs. Grant Everson murder trial filled the first-floor hall of the Carver County Justice Center Tuesday morning. In all, 99 people were called for jury duty via letter. Ninety-seven of those letter recipients showed up.

“You should have a pretty good pool to work from,” Judge Kevin Eide told attorneys for both the prosecution and defense.

It was a slow start to the state’s trial against Everson, who is accused of first-degree murder for allegedly plotting to kill his mother Nancy Everson, as well as second-degree murder for allegedly attempting to kill his father Tom Everson. Nancy was shot to death in her Chaska home on Jan. 15.

Court was in session for roughly a half hour Tuesday as Eide ruled on a couple of motions before adjourning to address the potential jurors. Jurors were not present in the courtroom.

In his first order of business, Eide ruled that a recording made by Chaska Police officer Rachel Nelson during the transportation of Everson could be played in court.

His second ruling was in response to the defense’s request to dismiss the first-degree murder charge against Everson. The defense argued Monday in a pre-trial hearing that there was lack of probable cause for first-degree murder because the premeditation for murder was abandoned and the actual killing was not planned.

Eide denied the defense’s request based on testimony and statements given by Everson’s friend Joel Beckrich.

“Although there was an interruption of the plan, the plan was not abandoned,” said Eide.

“Grant would have had to take some step to avoid the crime,” he added. “But in fact, he encouraged it by handing the gun to Beckrich and saying something to the effect of, ‘I can’t do it. You have to do it.’”

Eide acknowledged that although his ruling was favorable to the prosecution, there was much evidence yet to be presented in the case.

Some of Eide’s statements drew a head shake of disagreement from Everson, who was present during the ruling. Everson was dressed in non-jail apparel Tuesday, donning a pair of khaki pants, a brown suit coat and a crisp white shirt with matching tie. He remained handcuffed throughout the short court session.

Eide concluded his ruling by stating that “there is sufficient evidence to present to the jury” for a first-degree murder charge.

Following the court session, jurors were introduced to both the prosecution and defense attorneys and spent the remainder of the day watching an orientation video and completing questionnaires for the attorneys to review. Court will reconvene with jury selection on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m.

Check www.chaskaherald.com [1] each afternoon for a trial update.