WILKES-BARRE — After seven delays for various legal reasons, including an attorney’s illness, the Hazleton homicide trial of Jafet De Jesus Rodriguez is set to begin next week before Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough.

Selection of 12 people plus four alternates began Friday for Rodriguez’s trial on charges he fatally shot Ashokkumar Patel inside Craig’s Food Mart on West Broad Street on Dec. 12, 2020.

Rodriguez, 44, reportedly patronized the food mart where he played an electronic skill game.

Patel was mopping the floor when Rodriguez, according to court records, entered and shoved him into a closet before firing a round from a .40-caliber handgun.

After the shooting, Rodriguez allegedly stole cash from the food mart.

Rodriguez was charged in the fatal shooting after detectives fr

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