Evidentiary issues in the Charles William Curtis Thompson murder trial were resolved in a pretrial motion Tuesday.

Sixth District Judge Sean McPartland overruled the defense motion to exclude a ski mask, and the defense retracted its request to have a pair of bloody jeans excluded. Both pieces of evidence will be submitted during the trial.

Further questioning was held in examinations of 34 potential jurors Tuesday, and several were dismissed because they believed they could not handle the case or that their "personal circumstances" would prevent them from following court instructions.

Thompson was charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Iowa City landlord John Versypt. The trial intends to determine not only whether Thompson is guilty but whether the slaying was "premeditated murder" or a "felony murder." The police believe the suspects intended to rob Versypt.

Jury selection will continue at 9 a.m. today in the Johnson County Courthouse. Opening arguments are expected to begin before noon.

— by Eric Moore