Jury selection continues March 30 in the murder trial of an Ocean Beach man who allegedly shot his female roommate’s boyfriend after the man sent him angry text messages in response to an earlier insult.
Thomas Francis Burke, 33, has pleaded not guilty to killing Jess Matthew Robles, 34, of Pacific Beach, who was shot to death at 11 p.m. June 22, 2016 at the front door of Burke’s condominium at 4177 Voltaire St.
Potential jurors went to the Presiding department in San Diego Superior Court, which is a larger courtroom to accommodate more people. The trial will be before Judge Melinda Lasater.
Burke’s attorney, Gary Gibson, is a longtime defense attorney. He said opening statements will not be heard until at least Monday, April 3 or Tuesday, April 4. Friday is a court holiday because of the Cesar Chavez birthday.
Deputy District Attorney Kyle Sutterley said Burke disliked Robles and they had traded insults back and forth.
Before the shooting, Burke, who is also known by the nickname T.J., had worked as a pharmacist at a San Diego hospital. He has been unable to post the $4 million bail and he remains in jail.