Jury Selection Complete in Murder Trial of Two New Bedford Men

Jury selection is complete in the trial of two New Bedford men, both charged in the shooting death of a 31-year-old man in 2013.

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office says jury selection was completed Thursday afternoon as 27-year-old Hailton DaCosta and 30-year-old Antonio Rodrigues, Jr. are being tried in Fall River Superior Court.

Both men are charged in the death of Sharone Stafford, who was found suffering from gunshot wounds in the South End of the city on November 23, 2013. He died a short time later at St. Luke's Hospital.

Police say DaCosta was the triggerman in the killing, and is charged with murder, armed assault with intent to rob, and illegal possession of a firearm. Rodrigues is charged with firearm-armed assault with intent to murder and accessory to murder after the fact.

Opening statements are scheduled to be presented Friday morning.

Two other men are also charged in Stafford's death. 23-year-old Elito Mendes is charged with accessory to murder after the fact, carrying an illegal firearm, armed robbery, and obstruction of justice in relation to the witness intimidation statue. 29-year-old Samir Baptiste is charged with accessory to murder before the fact. Both cases remain pending and are due to begin in Fall River Superior Court in December.