Jury selection is set to take place today (Monday) in Decatur County, in the case of a central Iowa man accused of setting fire to a home in Guthrie Center, killing two young girls who were inside at the time. 28-year old Patrick Ryan Thompson, of Ames, faces two felony charges of first degree murder, two additional felony charges of attempted murder, along with a felony first degree arson, charge. The charges stem from a May 2017 incident that resulted in the deaths of 12-year-old Paige Exline and 16-year-old Shakiah Cockerham. If a jury is selected today and seated, the trial itself may also begin, with opening statements from the Defense and Prosecution.

Last month Thompson’s stepfather James Exline was sentenced to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing Paige Exline between June 2016 and April 2017. The trial for Noah Exline, Paige’s brother and Thompson’s stepbrother, is set to take place in October. Noah Exline faces several felony charges for the alleged sexual abusing of Paige Exline.

Thompson’s trial was originally scheduled to be held in Guthrie County, but was moved to Decatur County on September 6^th, due to extensive media coverage, the perceived inability to select a fair jury. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted of first degree murder, and up to 25 years if convicted on any of the other charges.