FIRST ON 3: Jury seated in Pierce trial; opening arguments begin

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Attorneys have selected a jury for the trial of a man charged with second-degree murder in the death of a Wilmington police officer last year. Two alternate jurors were also selected for the trial of Anthony Pierce.

After seating a jury, attorneys began opening arguments Tuesday afternoon.

The jury includes three women and nine men. One of the 12 jurors is black. The other 11 are white.

Prosecutors say Pierce led police on a high-speed chase through Wilmington early on the morning of Feb. 18, 2009. While responding as back-up, Ofc. Rich Matthews swerved to avoid a box in the middle of Shipyard Blvd. He wound up hitting trees on the other side of the road and died.

A month later a grand jury indicted Pierce on second-degree murder. Prosecutors argue Pierce’s reckless actions led to Matthews’s death.

Stay with WWAY NewsChannel 3 and wwaytv3.com for continuing coverage throughout the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks.