VIERA, Fla. – Jury selection continued Wednesday in the murder trial of a Brevard County man accused of gunning down a longtime car salesman.
William Sherwood, 64, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of John Pratt during a road-rage incident in Melbourne in March 2013.
Judge Charles Roberts, defense attorneys and state prosecutors questioned potential jurors Wednesday, asking if they knew anything about the case or if they had any conflicts that would prevent them from sitting on the 12-person jury.
Pratt, who worked for Boniface Hiers Kia in Melbourne, was test-driving a customer's vehicle when he pulled out of the dealership, according to police.
Officials said the road-rage incident lasted for half a mile and ended with a fender-bender at the intersection of Babcock Street and Brevard Drive, with Sherwood rear-ending the SUV Pratt was driving.
That's when Sherwood shot Pratt twice, according to police.
Officials said Sherwood remained in his vehicle after firing the shots. Witnesses reportedly approached him asking what happened and he told them he shot Pratt because he attacked him.
The car dealership's general manager said Pratt worked as a car salesman since the 1970s and was about to retire.
Court resumes Thursday at 9 a.m.