(WSBT) A case that stunned the Michiana community more than 17 years ago is finally going to trial.

Jury selection started Monday morning in the case of Jeff Pelley. Pelley is charged with the April 1989 shooting deaths of his father, step-mother, and two step-sisters in their Lakeville home.

The voir dire, or jury selection, phase began with 60 to 65 potential jurors in the courtroom, and one of the most important criteria is whether jurors can be fair and impartial.

Defense attorneys asked for 10 additional peremptory strikes, which would allow them to get rid of 20 people who cannot be fair and impartial. They wanted one of those strikes because of the amount of pre-trial publicity in the case, and they would be in addition to other challenges. The judge did not say when he would rule on the defense's motion.

The jury selection should wrap up by the end of the day Monday. If that does not happen the judge says it should be finished by early Tuesday. After that the judge will set opening statements. Prosecutors tell NEWS22 the entire trial should last about two weeks.

Stay with NEWS22 for continuing coverage of the Pelley murder case. We will have reports from the courthouse every day of the trial.