The murder trial of a Lansford man, charged with killing his estranged with and disposing of the body, began this morning in Carbon County court before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic.
Ernest Troy Freeby, 36, is charged with criminal homicide in the death of Edwina Atieno Onyango in December 2007, and tampering with evidence. Her body has never been found.
The jury panel was selected during a daylong session of court Monday. The panel was finally in place at about 3 p.m. Jurors reported for jury duty at 9 a.m.
District Attorney Gary F. Dobias is prosecuting the case. Freeby is represented by public defenders, attorneys Paul Levy and George Dydynsky.
The trial is expected to last at least two weeks due to the numerous witnesses expected to be called by Dobias and defense counsel.
Onyango, 34, a native of Kenya, was reported missing by her brother on Dec. 9, 2007. The case began as a missing person investigation and turned into a homicide. Lansford police began the probe when Onyango was reported missing. They turned the probe over to state police at Lehighton.
Onyango moved to the United States on Sept. 1, 1998. She resided in Allentown where she met and married Freeby. They married on March 20, 2001. Freeby later returned