WOBURN, MA – Neil Entwistle’s murder trial began in earnest Monday morning after several continuances in the past two years. After nearly 170 jurors completed a 17-page questionnaire, the first 60 were told to remain; the rest were sent home and told to call in at 3:00 p.m. for further instruction.

Sixteen jurors will be seated; four of them will be alternates. The judge is doing all the questioning of jurors who are brought into court individually. The first juror, a woman, came into court at 12:35 p.m. She basically answered yes or no to a series of questions, assuring all that she can be fair. She and another juror made the initial cut, but the next four were excused for cause, including a man who said he just cannot be fair. I just received word that, before the lunch break, the judge and attorneys will hear from 15 jurors who want to be excused.

The rather large public gallery is about one-quarter full, mainly with members of the media, British print and broadcast journalists.

The witness list has 164 names on it; 28 are from the United Kingdom. Entistle’s parents, Clifford and Yvonne, are not on the list though the word around the courthouse is that they are here or at least en route to Massachusetts from England. Rachel Entwistle’s mother, stepfather and siblings are on the witness list.

Entwistle sits to the far right at the defense table with his attorneys, Elliot Weinstein and Stephanie Page. He’s in a dark suit and appears to listen attentively to the answers prospective jurors give Judge Kottmyer. Occasionally, he speaks to Page. Entwistle is 29 years old now and, if convicted, faces life without the possibility of parole.

– Beth Karas, In Session correspondent