Jury selection began Tuesday for a man accused of a double murder on Labor Day weekend in 2011.

Mauricio Garcia Cumbrera, 52, is accused of shooting his wife, 49-year-old Anna Cumbrera, and stepdaughter, 31-year-old Julia Ann Landry, on Sept. 4, 2011.

A neighbor told the American Press that Cumbrera backed over Landry with a car after shooting her.

Cumbrera was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, but prosecutor Rick Bryant on Tuesday amended the charges to two counts of second-degree murder.

Public defender King Alexander requested a continuance after hearing the amended charges, as well as two other continuances.

Judge Mike Canaday denied the continuances.

An interpreter has been brought in for Cumbrera, who is Cuban.

Cumbrera’s trial was second on the priority list behind Karl Yancy, who is also represented by Alexander.

The prosecution requested a continuance in Yancy’s case because the alleged victim’s family moved out of state and had been reluctant to cooperate, prosecutor Lori Nunn said. She said they were at court Wednesday and ready to proceed.

Alexander did not oppose the continuance, which Canaday granted.

Canaday released Yancy from jail without bond — he has been held for a year — but ordered him to stay away from the alleged victim and her family.

Nunn set a status conference date of Oct. 25 rather than a trial date because she wanted to ensure that the family wished to pursue the charges, she told Canaday.

Yancy faces three charges of aggravated rape and three counts of aggravated incest.

(MGNonline)