Jurors selected Wednesday are expected to hear opening arguments Thursday morning in the murder case against John Bolton, accused of killing Christopher Fletcher at a cookout in 2011.
Bolton faces a charge of first degree murder and three weapons charges in the case.
Charging documents allege that Bolton and Fletcher fought at a Southeast D.C. neighborhood cookout after Bolton approached Fletcher and “kissed him as if he was a female.”
Prosecutors say the interaction escalated quickly, eventually turning to violence.
According to the charging documents, Fletcher challenged Bolton about five minutes later.
He yelled out, saying he was not a “faggy,” one witness told investigators. Then, Bolton allegedly shot Fletcher. Fletcher was taken to a hospital and died about two hours later.