Defense Uncertain in Bar Homicide Trial

HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) - Jury selection is scheduled to begin in a Dakota County homicide trial, but it's unclear who will be representing the defendant.

Shavelle Chavez-Nelson fired his public defenders just days before Monday's trial was to begin.

Chavez-Nelson is accused of fatally shooting 23-year-old Palagor Jobi outside Nina's Grill in Burnsville last fall after the two argued over a woman. Chavez-Nelson is also accused of killing University of Minnesota student Anarae Schunk, who left the bar with him that night. She was found fatally stabbed eight days later. The trial for her death will be separate.

District Judge Kathryn Messerich has refused the defendant's request to postpone the first trial, saying the public defenders he fired had represented him diligently. Chavez-Nelson says he doesn't want to represent himself.