Jury Selected for Shane James Capital Murder Trial, With Opening Arguments Expected Thursday

A jury has been selected for the capital murder trial of Shane James, and opening arguments are expected Thursday, KEYE CBS Austin reported Tuesday. James, 37, is accused of a series of shootings on December 5, 2023, that killed six people and injured three others in San Antonio and Austin. He has pleaded not guilty, and if convicted of capital murder he faces life in prison without parole, the report said.

The trial could only be seated after a separate question was answered. On Monday, a Travis County jury found James competent to stand trial, after hearing conflicting testimony about whether his belief that 'laser masters' control his body prevents him from fully participating in his defense, the Austin American-Statesman reported. James was first found incompetent in 2024 and sent to a state mental hospital; his competency was restored in 2025, he pleaded not guilty in May 2026, and a court found him competent again last July. His attorneys filed notice in September that they intend to use an insanity defense for the actions at the time of the crimes, FOX 7 Austin reported.

Investigators say the December 2023 shootings began in San Antonio, where James killed his parents, before he came to Austin, FOX 7 reported. That morning, police say, he shot and injured an Austin ISD officer at Northeast Early College High School. About an hour later, on Shadywood Drive, Emmanuel Pop Ba - a handyman shot in his truck, which was then stolen - and Sabrina Rahman, who was walking with her baby, were killed. In the evening, a cyclist on West Slaughter Lane was shot and survived. On Austral Loop, police responding to a burglary say James fired at an officer, who fired back and recovered; Katherine and Lauren Short were found dead inside the home. James was arrested after leading police on a chase.

Jury selection for the capital murder trial itself began Tuesday, following Monday's competency verdict, and the panel was seated the same day, according to the reports. Opening arguments are expected Thursday - nearly three years after the shootings, in a case whose path to a courtroom has run through two competency fights before a single witness on the facts has been heard.