Nichols, Sorenson in Court

The man and woman accused of killing a Sykeston couple last year appeared in court today in Devils Lake Aron Nichols is accused of murder in the deaths of Donald and Alice Willey Tamara Sorenson is charged with being an accomplice to the murders The Willeys were found dead inside their burned-down farm home on Easter Sunday last year It was later discovered they had been shot to death before the fire had been set Nichols was first charged in the deaths - Sorenson was charged several weeks later Nichols has since written a letter saying Sorenson - his girlfriend - had nothing to do with the crime But prosecutors say they letter only strengthens their case against Sorenson who is the mother of a grandchild of the Willeys Today s court proceeding centered on the jury pool 300 questionnaires have already been sent out to residents of Ramsey County where the trial is being held From those 300 150 potential jurors will move on to the next phase 37 of those people will make it to the next round and eventually the 12 jurors and two alternates will be chosen James Bekken SE District Judge The double murder trial is scheduled for March 12th Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Byers will be assisting the Wells County state s attorney during the trial