The manslaughter trial of a white North Carolina police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black man is set to begin, with the jury selection process beginning Monday.

The case began in the early morning hours of September 14, 2013, when former Florida A&M football player Jonathan Ferrell was involved in an automobile accident, according to a Reuters report.

Ferrell, seeking assistance, was knocking on the front door of residence, and a surprised young woman, fearing a home invasion, called 911.

Three officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police answered the call and as they were being approached by Ferrell, officer Randall Kerrick fired 12 shots, 10 of which struck Ferrell, killing him.  The other two officers, who are black, did not draw their weapons.

Kerrick’s attorney contends Ferrell ignored orders to stop and lie on the ground.

Within hours of the shooting, Kerrick was charged with voluntary manslaughter.  It was the first time a Mecklenburg County police officer was charged in connection with an on-duty shooting in 30 years.

Rodney Moore, who was the Police Chief at the time of the incident, said Kerrick used excessive force and his arrest was warranted.  Kerrick was indicted by a grand jury in January of 2014.

The city of Charlotte agreed to settle an civil suit with Ferrell’s family for $2.25 million in May.

A toxicology report found a blood alcohol limit below the legal limit and no traces of drugs in Ferrell’s system.

The Superior Court trial is expected to last for several weeks and will begin after the Jury selection process, which is projected to last for several days.

Defense attorneys have been twice denied change of venue motions, saying the pretrial publicity would be just as likely to have been seen in the neighboring counties of Charlotte as well.