Jury Selection Starting In Trial Of Accused Cop Killer

TAYLOR (WWJ) - Jury selection starts Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of murdering a Taylor police corporal.

Tyress Matthews allegedly shot and killed 31-year-old Corporal Matt Edwards when the policeman responded to a home invasion call in July of 2010.

Taylor Police Commander Mary Sclabassi says the start of the trial reopens a wound for those at the department.

"We have lost a family member," Sclabassi told WWJ Newsradio 950. "Not nearly as bad as what the Edwards family has gone through, of course not, but you hear about the brotherhood of law enforcement and that really does exist. It truly is like we've lost a family member, and he will always be missing from this department."

Edwards was the first person with Taylor Police to be killed in the line of duty. He had been with the department for five years.