Jury Selection For Suspect In Palm Springs Beating Death

INDIO- Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the trial of one of four reputed North Palm Springs gang members accused of fatally beating a 66- year-old security guard at a construction site.

Jamar Thomas, 21, is charged with murder, robbery and participation in a criminal street gang in connection with the June 9, 2007, beating death of Bower Security Co. guard Wallace Brown. He faces a possible death penalty if convicted.

Also charged in Brown’s death are Darius Lee, 21, Jerrett Lewis, 20, and Akil Williams, 19, who will stand trial at a later date.

Testimony is expected to begin by mid-March.

The four alleged gang membersare accused of beating Brown with blunt objects, including their fists, and taking his wallet after dragging him from his car while he was checking a construction site near Rosa Parks Street and Eldorado Boulevard.

The former Marine died days later at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs without ever regaining consciousness.