Jury selection underway for man accused of murdering former partner's sister
PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
CERTAINLY THANK YOU FOR AND
WELCOME THE FLAME. SO WE HAVE
JURY SELECTION RIGHT NOW
UNDERWAY FOR THE MAN ACCUSED
OF MURDERING A WOMAN DURING IAN
THOMPSON IS CHARGED WITH
KILLING EMILY STEINHOFF.
IT HAPPENED DURING A CUSTODY
DISPUTE.
>> BETWEEN THOMAS AND STEINHOFF
SISTER IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR.
WRAL'S CHELSEA DONOVAN WAS
INSIDE THE COURTROOM TODAY AND
EXPLAINS WHAT WE'RE LEARNING
ABOUT THE CASE.
IT'S DAY ONE OF JURY SELECTION
IN THE TRIAL OF DORIAN THOMAS.
EASON, TO KEEP IN MIND THAT
BASE, THAT DECISION AS JUROR ON
THIS CASE,
>> I SALUTE YOU. HEAR THIS FOR
THOMAS IS ACCUSED OF MURDERING
44 YEAR-OLD EMILY STEINHOFF
HIS CHILD AND DURING A CUSTODY
EXCHANGE LAST MARCH. THIS
INCIDENT. WELL, IT'S KIND OF A
CULMINATION OF A MESS TODAY.
>> TROLLS STEINHOFF WAS NOT
ONLY A MOTHER AND A WIFE BUT AN
ARMY VETERAN. SHE WAS DIRECTOR
OF RALEIGH, LITTLE THEATER
PREVIOUSLY A PUBLIC DEFENDER
AND A NURSE STEINHOFF AND HER
SISTER HILLARY LOMBARDI HAD
GONE TOGETHER TO PICK UP
LOMBARDI'S 14 MONTH-OLD
DAUGHTER FROM THOMAS'S HOME.
BARNEY TOLD INVESTIGATORS SHE
SAW THOMAS REPORTING VIDEO
THROUGH A WINDOW. IS SHE IN
STEINHOFF KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR.
SHE SAID IT FIRST. THOMAS
REFUSED TO OPEN THE DOOR.
THE WARRANTS SAY AFTER A PERIOD
OF TIME KNOCKING HE OPENED THE
DOOR AND A FIREARM WAS
DISCHARGED, STRIKING THE VICTIM
WHILE SHE WAS STANDING ON HIS
PORCH. IT WAS THOMAS WHO CALLED
9-1-1 TO REPORT THAT STATED
HALF HAD BEEN SHOT. THOMAS WAS
ARRESTED FOR MURDER, BUT HE
BONDED OUT JUST MONTHS AFTER
HIS ARREST. THAT WAS CHELSEA
DONOVAN REPORTING. NOW, THIS
TRIAL THAT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND IF CONVICTED,