The trial for the man accused of killing Kelly Dwyer is now underway. Kris Zocco allegedly strangled and suffocated Dwyer to death before hiding her body.
Prosecutors and Zocco’s defense spent Monday narrowing the large jury pool to the final 12 jurors and three alternates. Zocco is already serving a 19-year sentence for possessing child porn and drugs.
Zocco appeared in court Monday morning dressed in a suit and listened intently. Potential jurors faced Zocco for the first time as they were questioned.
“Is anyone here unable to give the defendant the presumption of innocence?” the defense questioned.
Five years ago, Zocco is accused of killing Dwyer during a violent sex act in his East Side apartment.
Prosecutors plan to use video evidence in the trial which shows the couple entering Zocco’s apartment, but surveillance cameras only captured Zocco leaving several hours later.
Detectives believe Zocco removed Dwyer’s body from his apartment in a golf travel bag. He allegedly dumped her body in Jefferson County.
It took more than a year and a half for her body to be found. Zocco was charged with Dwyer’s murder in May of 2017. Former Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said detectives had the luxury of taking their time because Zocco was already in prison for possessing child porn and drugs.
The latest development comes from inside prison where prosecutors say Zocco allegedly asked a cellmate to help him stop his ex-girlfriend from testifying against him at trial. The allegation came with a new charge.
The trial is expected to last two weeks. Jurors are expected to hear opening arguments Tuesday morning, then travel to Zocco’s old apartment to look at evidence.
