The attempted murder trial of a Lawrenceville man is set to continue this morning in Lawrence County Circuit Court. 55-year-old Keith McKinney is accused of shooting Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Gilmore following a traffic stop in Lawrenceville on February 22nd of last year. Gilmore, who was wearing body armor, then shot Mckinney in the leg during the incident. McKinney has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. Jury selection concluded yesterday. The jury of eight women and four men heard opening statements from both the prosecution and the defense yesterday. The prosecution laid out the events of the traffic stop that led to the reported shooting. The defense proclaimed McKinney was accosted by Gilmore during the stop and that Gilmore made up the story of the shooting. Deputy Gilmore was the first witness. He described the events of the traffic stop in February of last year. The defense will cross-examine Gilmore when the trial resumes this morning at 8:30. If convicted, McKinney faces up to 80 years in prison plus an additional 20 years for the aggravated use of a weapon.
