Jury seated in Supino double murder trial, open arguments begin

WATERLOO — Jasper County Attorney and First Assistant Attorney, Mike Jacobsen and Scott Nicholson, began opening arguments at the Black Hawk County Courthouse on Wednesday in the double first-degree murder trial of former Newton resident Theresa "Terri" Supino.

The 54-year-old is accused of the March 3, 1983 killings of her estranged husband, 20-year-old Steven Fisher, and his girlfriend, 17-year-old Melisa Gregory at the former Copper Dollar Ranch northwest of Newton.

Jury selection concluded Tuesday afternoon following a 1.5 day process. Opening statements will continue through Wednesday and should give clues to the case prosecutors hope to frame against Supino.

Media was not allowed in the courtroom for jury selection due to the sensitivity of the case. But as the 12-member panel — plus two alternates — filed out of the courtroom Tuesday, the group consisted of 10 women and four men. The alternates will sit through the trial, their identities kept secret until the case is submitted to the jury for deliberation. The alternates could replace a juror due to illness or unforeseen emergency.

It was originally unclear if a jury would be seated by the end of Tuesday's proceedings, as the process was delayed earlier in the week due to weather related issues.

Stick with the Newton Daily News for up-to-the-minute coverage from the trial in Waterloo. Readers can follow developments online, @NewtonDNews on Twitter, on Facebook and in print.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com