NEW PHILADELPHIA (Tusco TV) - The jury trial for the last of three men accused in a robbery turned shooting last year near Newcomerstown is now getting underway in the courtroom of Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Edward O’Farrell. 

Jury selection began this morning in the trial of Lucian Lambes. The 23-year-old is charged with aggravated robbery and conspiracy, along with three counts of felonious assault and attempted murder, all carrying five-year gun specifications. Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer says the first day of the trial will also include a visit to the scene of the robbery and several other locations just like during the trial of Lambes’ co-defendant Ian Cultrona.  

"Once we select a jury, we plan on doing what’s called a jury view which is where we’ll take the jury, the attorneys, the judge and Mr. Lambes basically on a field trip to see the crime scenes and some other relevant areas in Newcomerstown and south of Newcomerstown, just like we did with the last jury," he says.

Styer says he expects the trial will take roughly as long as Cultrona’s with many of the same key witnesses expected to take the stand. 

"We’re planning on it taking about the same amount of time," he says.  "Hopefully, it goes a little quicker but you really can’t force these things."  

Another jury found Cultrona guilty of aggravated robbery and three counts of felonious assault and not guilty of conspiracy for his role in the robbery. He was sentenced last week to 11 years in prison, with the possibility of judicial release in just over three. 30-year-old Douglas Casteel was indicted on the same charges and agreed to enter a guilty plea in exchange for a 17-year sentence recommendation. 

TUSCO TV