Walmart shooter trial: Jury selection and trial date set

EL PASO, Texas - A United States district judge has set the date for the jury selection for the Patrick Crusius trial. The trial will follow immediately after the jury selection.

Judge Guaderrama announced the selection and the trial will take place on January 8, 2024 at the El Paso Federal Courthouse. Crusius and his defense team initially wanted a March 2025 date, reportedly for more preparation. The U.S. Government wanted an even earlier trial date set in June 2023.

Guaderrama stated that there's a possibility that the government will pursue the death penalty against Crusius, but nothing is set in stone as of right now. The government looked at the timing between the indictment and trial of other federal death penalty cases to aid in their decision of selecting a date for Crusius' trial.

Crusius is being charged with 90 federal charges, including 22 counts of committing a hate crime resulting in death. He was additionally indicted on capital murder charges by a Texas grand jury. Crusius is accused of shooting and killing 23 people and injuring 23 others at an El Paso Walmart in August 2019 as part of an act of hate against Latinos and Hispanics.