Jury selection opens in Beaumont for Paul Edward Westbrooks Jr. in two linked murder cases

Jury selection began in the 252nd District Court in Beaumont on Monday for Paul Edward Westbrooks Jr., who faces separate indictments in cause numbers 23 DCCR 0328 (capital murder) and 23 DCCR 0329 (murder), the judge told the courtroom. The judge also said the state has waived the death penalty in the capital case.

The two cases will be tried together and jurors were told they must reach separate verdicts for each charge and — if a guilty verdict is returned on the regular murder count — assess punishment. "He's charged by indictment in that case with the offense of capital murder. If he is found guilty in that case, the state has waived the death penalty," the judge said. Prosecutors told jurors the capital count alleges a killing that occurred April 10, 2023, in Jefferson County, Beaumont.

Why it matters: jurors were repeatedly reminded that the jury’s role is factfinding and that any conviction must be based on proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The two-part trial structure means jurors will consider guilt first and only hear additional evidence about punishment if the panel finds guilt on the regular murder count.

Court officials explained procedural and practical details before questioning prospective jurors. The judge told the panel that prospective jurors receive $20 for the first day and $58 for subsequent days and that they may donate the initial payment to local victim and child-welfare funds through the court’s iJury system. The courtroom also heard a formal note that each side has 10 peremptory strikes and that the final jury will be 12 jurors with a 13th alternate.

Prosecutor Mister Smith outlined the legal theories the state must prove, telling the panel, "Capital murder is intentionally taking or causing the death of an individual" while describing one alleged theory in this case as a killing in the course of a robbery. He said the state’s burden is high: jurors must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that every element of the charged offenses was proved.

Defense attorney Joel Vasquez questioned jurors about expectations for evidence and whether they could be fair if they heard graphic material or strong emotional testimony. Several prospective jurors said they would be unable to serve because of the emotional burden; others asked about specific types of evidence they would expect to see, such as video, ballistics or eyewitness testimony.

The courtroom record shows the defendant, Paul Edward Westbrooks Jr., confirmed his identity during swearing-in; the defendant is listed on the indictments as the person charged. The panel was told the capital count (23 DCCR 0328) alleges the victim was Ahmad Hayden and the related murder count (23 DCCR 0329) alleges the victim was Rowan Dotson; both alleged events were said to have occurred April 10, 2023, in Beaumont.

Formal courtroom actions recorded during voir dire included the judge’s granting of a prosecution motion (the motion was identified in court as "the state's motion to move it" and the judge granted the motion on the record), and the defendants’ election that, if convicted of the noncapital murder count, punishment would be assessed by the jury rather than the court. Those items were stated aloud in court and noted by the judge: the motion was "granted," and court staff confirmed the defendant had elected jury assessment of punishment for the regular murder count.

Attorneys and the judge repeatedly instructed jurors not to research the case or discuss it during the selection process and reminded them of the presumption of innocence and the defendant’s Fifth Amendment right not to testify. Prospective jurors were asked to raise any conflicts or hardships that would prevent them from serving during the expected weeklong voir dire; the judge said she did not expect the trial to extend beyond Thursday that week.

Selection will continue as the court recalls specific jurors for follow-up questioning. The court reporter and bailiff were identified on the record; Assistant District Attorney Ashley Molfino appeared for the state and Joel Vasquez appeared for the defense. The judge told jurors that if they had sensitive answers they could ask to speak privately with counsel before final strikes were exercised.

The court did not take any final evidentiary rulings beyond the motion it granted during voir dire, and no verdicts or sentencing decisions were made during the session. Further voir dire and follow-up questioning of selected panelists is scheduled to continue this week.