Opening arguments begin in Fairbanks trial

After an extremely long jury selection, another delay in the Thomas Fairbanks murder trial. Just 30 minutes into opening arguments, while looking at some gruesome photos a juror fainted.

The incident put the trial into a sudden recess this morning. The woman wasn't down long, as other jurors and court officials rushed to help her. She was taken to Riverview Health Center in Crookston to be examined, and will be fine, but she was dismissed from jury duty.

Opening arguments then started back up this afternoon. Fairbanks is charged with 1st degree murder in the shooting death of Deputy Christopher Dewey in February of 2009, Dewey then died about a year and a half later from his injuries.

Prosecutors showed graphic photos of Dewey's 3 gunshot wounds, and also told the jury about Dewey's quality of life before dying. A doctor explained it as a man with the bladder of a newborn, he had blood clots in both legs and showed signs of stress on his heart from infections. Dewey couldn't go to the bathroom, couldn't move and was unable to communicate. They say his wife Emily, could interpret his facial expressions and by Early march 2010, she said Dewey was giving up and in constant pain,he would then die that August.

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