Opening arguments and testimony were expected today after eight men and four women were chosen Tuesday night to decide if a state trooper is guilty of sexual battery and fondling of a minor.

Two women alternate jurors also were selected to hear the state’s case against Richard Dane Davenport, 45, 407 Warren St., who was indicted in January by a Warren County grand jury on four counts of sexual battery of a minor and five counts of fondling or touching of a minor.

Warren County Circuit Court Judge Isadore Patrick is presiding over the case brought by the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office because it involves a state employee facing charges in multiple jurisdictions.

In addition to the Warren County charges, Davenport was indicted by an Oktibbeha County grand jury for sexual misconduct with a boy younger than 16 in September 2007.

The children are not identified.

Attorney John P. Zelbst of Lawton, Okla., is the lead defense attorney. Prosecuting attorneys are Jean Vaughan and Brandon Ogburn.

The jurors chosen Tuesday came from a pool of 350 potential jurors called to the courthouse. The group was questioned throughout the day, until 8:30 p.m., by Patrick and attorneys for both sides.

At the time of his arrest in January, Davenport was a state highway patrolman with the rank of master sergeant. He was placed on administrative leave without pay until the case is resolved, according to AG spokesman Jan Schaefer. In addition to patrol, he also manned the Mississippi Department of Public Safety driver’s license station at 1100 Grove St.

If convicted, Davenport faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment on each of the sexual battery charges, and 15 years for each of the fondling counts.

The first incident is alleged to have occurred in October 1999. Other specific illegal acts with children are alleged to have occurred in July 2003 (three), November 2005, November or December 2005, May 2007 (two) and October 2007. The code sections involved are 97-3-95 and 97-5-23.