HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The jury selection process began Monday morning. Dixie Villa, who was tried for manslaughter.

Approximately 120 potential jurors have been summoned to Circuit Court. The prosecution and defense are trying to reduce that number to 12 plus three reserves.

Abigail Lobisch He was 7 months old when he died on February 24, 2019 At Aliamanu Military Reservation.

Villa’s trial was postponed more than a dozen times due to reasons including the COVID shutdown and the unavailability of witnesses.

“This is truly unbearable,” said Katie Camario, a friend of the Lobisch family.

“Five years is really a long time to ask grieving families to wait.”

Villa is accused of giving the toddler a fatal dose of diphenhydramine, commonly called Benadryl.

Although the drug is not recommended for children under the age of six, diphenhydramine was found in the child’s blood and urine.

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Camario said the delays made it difficult for the family to move forward.

“It would be a great burden for each of us to lose a loved one in such a tragic way,” Camario said.

“It’s been five years without justice, and that’s okay.”

Since Tuesday is a public holiday on Election Day, the hearing will continue with opening statements on Wednesday.

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