Jury selection begins in trial of former Mooresville High School student accused of on-campus rape

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Jury selection began Monday afternoon in Iredell County Superior Court in the trial of a former Mooresville High School student accused of raping another student on campus in 2018.

Jericho Neal

Jericho Montrell Neal, 22, is charged with second-degree forcible rape. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on a $100,000 bond.

Neal was 16 years old on March 6, 2018, the date Mooresville police investigators and prosecutors allege that he raped a 14-year-old female student at the school. 

Following about two hours of questioning, 11 jurors were seated Monday afternoon before Judge R. Stuart Albright adjourned court for the day.

Assistant District Attorney Regina Mahoney and defense attorney Ken Darty will select the 12th juror and two alternates on Tuesday morning before delivering their opening statements.

The trial is expected to run into next week.