Jury selection ongoing in McCluskey murder case in Limestone

Published 12:32 pm Monday, January 22, 2018

Jury selection in the Frankie McCluskey murder case began today in Limestone County. 

McCluskey, 46, of 16601 Zehner Road, Athens, is charged with felony murder in the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Ronnie Kyle Jr. following an argument at McCluskey’s mobile home in the Clements community March 4, 2015.

The process of empaneling a 13-member jury, including 12 jurors and one alternate, began Monday morning. The jury was expected to selected by midday so jurors could break for lunch before defense and prosecuting attorneys delivered their opening arguments Monday afternoon. The court was also working on an electrical problem in the courtroom they hoped to solve before opening arguments could begin, said Circuit Judge Chadwick Wise, who is presiding over the case.

The case

McCluskey, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, has remained free on $30,000 bond since his initial arrest in 2015.

On the day of the shooting, Kyle was looking for his girlfriend, following an argument with her earlier in the day. He had driven to McCluskey’s home about 7:24 p.m. to see if she was there. (Kyle’s girlfriend and McCluskey were once married.) Sheriff Mike Blakely said McCluskey got his single-barrel, 20-gauge shotgun and walked outside after Kyle arrived and repeatedly called for his girlfriend, who was not there. McCluskey repeatedly told Kyle to leave and the two began to argue. McCluskey fired at Kyle’s windshield, hitting him in the hand and chest. Kyle was declared dead on arrival at Huntsville Hospital. McCluskey told investigators Kyle was revving his engine and driving forward at him and family members when he fired.