Attorneys selected a jury Monday for the trial of a former juvenile detention center inmate accused of sexually assaulting two other inmates in March.

A panel of seven women and six men were chosen to hear the case of Carlos Arellano, a 17-year-old charged with two counts of sexual assault and conspiracy. One of the panelists will serve as an alternate.

The trial, being held in Natrona County District Court, is expected to run through Thursday or Friday.

Arellano faces the possibility of life behind bars if convicted on all counts. Authorities suspect he sexually assaulted two younger inmates in separate incidents inside their dormitory-style cell.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The detention center houses up to 40 juvenile offenders, ages 12 to 17, in the Hall of Justice in downtown Casper.

The issue of sexual assault came up during the jury selection process. Assistant District Attorney Michael Schafer asked prospective jurors whether any of them knew someone who had been sexually assaulted. A few said they did but that did not result in them being automatically disqualified.

During his part of the selection process, Arellano's attorney, Patrick LeBrun, sought to learn whether media coverage of the case had tainted any of the jurors. The case was widely reported by Casper media outlets.

None of the prospective jurors said media coverage would prevent them from judging the case fairly.

As the selection process progressed, Arellano sat quietly at the defense table. He wore a blue collared shirt, a dark blue tie and khaki pants.

Opening arguments in the case won't begin until this morning. After a jury was selected, Judge Scott Skavdahl dismissed the jury for the day in order to consider a defense motion to throw out an April 9 statement made by Arellano.

In the statement, which came more than a week after Arellano's arrest, the defendant claimed he had been sexually assaulted by the two inmates he was charged with sexually assaulting, according to Natrona County sheriff's investigator Michael Steinberg. Arellano allegedly told the investigator "it was a game."

LeBrun sought to throw out the statement on the grounds it violated Arellano's Miranda rights and his Sixth Amendment right to have an attorney present.

The judge disagreed, ruling Arellano had initiated the statement by contacting Steinberg. Skavdahl also found the teenager had been advised of his rights during an earlier interview and during his initial court appearance a day before.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.

Trial Tracker

Last we knew: Former juvenile detention center inmate Carlos Arellano was charged with sexually assaulting two other inmates at the Casper facility.

The latest: Arellano's trial began Monday with jury selection. Opening arguments will begin this morning.

What's next: The trial is expected to run through Thursday or Friday.