JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. -
Opening arguments in the trial of an illegal immigrant who allegedly struck and killed a 7-year-old boy in Four Oaks are set to start this afternoon.

Johnston County prosecutors and a defense attorney had been picking jurors since Monday afternoon. Two potential jurors were dismissed after admitting they have negative opinions of illegal immigrants and Hispanics. Others were dismissed because they have family members who died in drunk driving crashes.

Prosecutors say Hipolito Hernandez was driving drunk on a Sunday evening in April 2008 when he hit seven-year-old Marcus Lassiter, who later died.

Hernandez is charged with second degree murder, driving while impaired, and reckless driving. He pled not guilty.

Prosecutors say Hernandez had been charged with driving while impaired five times previously. Several of the cases were dismissed because the officers involved did not or could not go to court.

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