It took only a few hours Monday for lawyers to select the men and women who will decide the fate of Michael Ball.
Sixteen jurors were selected, two of whom will be released once the trial begins next week.
The other 14 are expected to remain through the duration of the trial – which is scheduled to last until February.
Ball, 24, is accused of killing Erin Howlett in the summer of 2013.
Howlett was missing for about a week before her body was discovered in the Grand River by a group of teenage swimmers.
Over the next several months, police searched a variety of locations including part of the Huron Natural Area and a basement apartment on Chestnut Street in Kitchener.
Ball – who police say lived in the Chestnut apartment – was arrested in November 2013.
He was held in custody until last month, when he was granted bail.
Monday, Ball was accompanied by his mother as he arrived for his court appearance.
He appeared calm and reserved throughout the proceeding, quietly saying ‘not guilty’ when asked about murder and repeating those words when asked about committing an indignity to a body.
The Kitchener resident is also facing a number of weapon- and drug-related charges, which will be dealt with separately after the murder trial.
