Gary Dunn
Nona Dirksmeyer
Her body was found inside her Russellville apartment. Because of all the attention the case has gotten, the trial has been moved to Clarksville.
In the small town of Clarksville things are quiet and relatively slow.
"I think the biggest thing in Clarksville is we have a peach festival and a fair," says Britni Morris, who was walking in front of the courthouse.
That is, until people took notice of a high profile capitol murder trial at the Johnson County courthouse.
"It's kind of strange having a big trial here. I don't remember the last time we had a big one like that," says The Den Barber Shop Owner Guice Howell.
He's referring to the trial of Gary Dunn, which is in day three of jury selection. Dunn is the second man charged in the murder of Nona Dirksmeyer.
In 2005, police say Dirksmeyer's boyfriend Kevin Jones found her dead in her Russellville apartment, beaten and stabbed.
The state prosecuted Jones and a jury acquitted him. One year later, police arrested Dunn.
Lawyers inside the courthouse had a tough time deciding on a jury. Working through an initial pool of 150 people, they called them in groups of five asking them questions about their ability to remain impartial.
More than half way through the day the court selected the final jury members and work began to pick three alternates. The state says DNA evidence found on a condom wrapper links Dunn to the murder.
The defense argues the real killer is Jones, who is walking free.
The judge has issued a gag order, so all parties involved cannot speak to the media.
Neither Dirksmeyer's nor Dunn's family came to the courthouse Wednesday. This is not the first time Dunn has been in trouble with the law.
He was convicted, in 2003, of second degree battery for the assault of a Russellville jogger.