Jury selection begins in 2007 murder case

By Globe Staff

Jury selection begins today in the murder trial of an East Boston man who allegedly fatally stabbed another man during an argument in March 2007 in the South End.

Juan Figueroa, 25, is facing a first-degree murder charge in the slaying of John Austin, who had previously had a relationship with Figueroa's girlfriend.

Prosecutors said Austin and the woman had a 3-year-old child. Figueroa and Austin, who was 24 at the time, argued when Figueroa came to pick up the child, who had just spent a scheduled weekend visit with Austin.

The March 11, 2007 dispute escalated into violence and Figueroa pulled Austin to the ground, stabbing him in the face and chest, prosecutors allege.

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