NORWICH – Despite a packed courtroom, only four jurors were seated Monday as jury selection began in the third trial of accused murderer Peter M. Wlasiuk.

Approximately two-thirds of those present were dismissed prior to the remaining 23 prospective jurors being addressed and questioned by Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride and Wlasiuk’s attorney, Mark Loughran of Binghamton.

A handful of those in attendance were excused because they admitted they’d already formed an opinion in the case against Wlasiuk, who is accused of murdering his wife Patricia in 2002 and attempting to cover up the crime by driving his truck into Guilford Lake.

Wlasiuk has twice been convicted of second degree murder – in 2003 and 2008 – and sentenced to serve 25 years to life in state prison. Both convictions were overturned on appeal, in 2006 and 2011, respectively.

Acting Chenango County Court Judge Joseph F. Cawley Jr. told potential jurors he expects the trial to last approximately one month, although an actual timeframe is impossible to predict at this point. Any verdict, he added, must be based exclusively on the evidence presented in court.