Jury selection begins in Birdell Beeks murder case

(KMSP) - It's been more than a year and a half since police say a stray bullet killed a beloved grandmother in north Minneapolis. And it took police nearly eight months to catch her alleged killer.

Jury selection started Monday for the trial of Joshua Ezeka, who is accused of fatally shooting Birdell Beeks.

The trial begins almost exactly a year after Ezeka was arrested, and more than a year since 58-year-old Beeks was killed while driving her 16-year-old grand-daughter near the corner of 21st and Penn Avenue North.

All this time, her family wondered if they’d get justice, with the investigation slowed by witnesses reluctant to talk.

Ezeka, 21, is charged with multiple murder counts. According to the criminal complaint, he’s a known gang member and was shooting at others when he hit Beeks in the crossfire. 

The complaint also says he even admitted it in a second interrogation, saying he got a phone call from a friend that rival gang members were driving by. So, he grabbed his gun and began firing at their car.

Ezeka’s co-defendant, 21-year-old Freddy Scott Junior took a plea deal in November. He admitted to calling Ezeka and admitted to driving him away. He is now expected to testify for the prosecution.