ALICE LUNDGREN / JURY SELECTION
JURY SELECTION BEGAN THIS MORNING UNDER HEAVY SECURITY IN THE TRIAL OF ALICE LUNDGREN, ACCUSED OF HELPING HER CULT-LEADER HUSBAND AND 11 OTHERS KILL A FAMILY OF FIVE. LAKE COUNTY, OHIO COMMON PLEAS JUDGE PAUL H. MITROVICH CONVENED THE PROCEEDINGS WITH 40 PROSPECTIVE JURORS IN THE FIRST TRIAL STEMMINGS FROM THE 1989 KILLINGS. MRS. LUNDGREN, 39, AND 12 OTHERS, INCLUDING HUSBAND JEFFREY AND THEIR 19-YEAR-OLD SON, DAMON, WERE ARRESTED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN THE DEATHS OF DENNIS AVERY, HIS WIFE, CHERYL, AND THEIR THREE YOUNG DAUGHTERS. MRS LUNDGREN HAS PLEADED INNOCENT OF ALL CHARGES. IF CONVICTED, SHE FACES A POSSIBLE LIFE SENTENCE.AUTHORITIES HAVE SPECULATED THE DEATHS MAY HAVE BEEN A RELIGIOUS SACRIFICE. ALICE LUNDGREN IS THE FIRST OF THE CULT MEMBERS TO STAND TRIAL IN THE CASE. FOUR CULT MEMBERS PLEADED GUILTY TO REDUCED CHARGES AND AGREED TO TESTIFY FOR THE PROSECUTION.