Jury selection begins for Lynn rink murder

SALEM – Jury selection began Monday in the trial of Yeison Arias, the 21-year-old Lynn man charged with the stabbing death of a teen father during a bloody rumble at Lynn’s Connery Rink in 2009.Seven potential jurors have been seated so far in the trial at Salem Superior Court, which is expected to last into the middle of next week. Jury selection will continue Tuesday until 15 jurors are selected (only 12 will actually deliberate the case). The trial will be moved at the end of this week into the new J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center Trial Court, where Salem Superior Court will then be located.Jurors on Wednesday morning will travel by bus to the scene of the crime to view the location.Arias, formerly of 196 Hamilton Ave., Lynn, is charged with the pre-meditated stabbing death of Carmelo Sandoval on April 10, 2009.Sandoval, 18, of 57 Kirtland St., Lynn, was stabbed and killed at the Connery Rink at 190 Shepard St., shortly before 10 p.m.On the night of the incident, police learned that Arias and co-defendant Bernardo Urena, 21, went to the skating rink armed with knives because of an earlier incident involving two rival gang members.A fight between rival gangs broke out at the end of the free skating session, resulting in the death of Sandoval.Authorities reportedly have a video showing Arias entering the rink and returning later to hide what they thought to be a weapon after the incident.Arias has pleaded innocent to the charge of murder in the first degree. A conviction will result in Arias being sent to state prison for the rest of his life, without parole.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose is prosecuting the case and Joseph A. Boncore is the defense lawyer.