SACRAMENTO — Attorneys in the Richard Hirschfield double-homicide case wrapped up their fourth week of jury selection Thursday, with two more weeks to go until a panel is sworn in.
Hirschfield, 63, is accused of kidnapping UC Davis students John Riggins and Sabrina Gonsalves, both 18, from Davis on Dec. 20, 1980, and killing them in Sacramento County. He was linked to the case via a cold-hit DNA match in 2002 and officially charged with the slayings in 2004.
Hirschfield has pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
A total of 20 jurors — 12 regular and eight alternate — are being sought for the potential death-penalty case, which is expected to last anywhere from three to five months in Sacramento Superior Court. Opening statements are scheduled for Sept. 4.
Once a jury is sworn in, attorneys are expected to conduct additional hearings on outstanding motions and chain-of-custody issues during the final week of August, according to an online schedule.