Jury selection begins in Colella stabbing trial

SALEM – Jury selection began Wednesday in Salem Superior Court in the case against Blake Colella, the Swampscott native under indictment for a 2006 Lynn stabbing case outside the 7-Eleven convenience store on Essex Street.Colella, 25, who had been living at an Essex Street apartment at the time of the incident, is charged with armed assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the case – allegations he denies.A 14-member jury panel, including two alternates, was selected Wednesday afternoon to sit on the expected four-day trial.Opening statements by Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Hickey and defense lawyer Ronald J. Ranta of Beverly will begin Thursday morning at 9 a.m.Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Hickey expects to establish that on the evening of May 19, 2006 Colella and his nephew stopped at the 7-Eleven located at 264 Essex St.Also there to make purchases were two Lynn brothers, Richard Dalton, 21, and Joseph Dalton, 18, along with their teenage female cousin.After leaving the store, Colella apparently approached the teenage girl and began a conversation.Richard Dalton and Colella exchanged words concerning the conversation with the teen, resulting in Colella allegedly stabbing Dalton twice in the upper chest.Dalton?s younger brother tried to intervene and was also assaulted during the attack.Colella and his nephew allegedly fled the area, leaving behind Colella?s vehicle. His nephew returned to the scene after the Lynn police arrived and spoke to him.In the meantime, Colella allegedly telephoned two female friends and asked one of them if she would pick up his car at the store, which she did after retrieving the keys from Colella at his Essex Street apartment.Police reports indicate they observed the female pick up the vehicle and drive it to her home in Swampscott.Colella was arrested later at a Franklin Street address.Hickey expects to introduce as evidence the defendant?s clothing, a video store surveillance tape, aerial photo of the Essex Street area, photo of victim?s injuries and medical records along with live testimony from the victims, witnesses, police officers and expert medical testimony.The commonwealth has listed some 30 potential witnesses in their case.Colella currently is being held in custody at the Middleton Jail pending the outcome of his case.Judge David A. Lowy is presiding over the trial.