By Rich McKay
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Jury selection began on Monday in the trial of former National Basketball Association player Javaris Crittenton, who has been charged with murder for his suspected role in a 2011 drive-by shooting that killed an Atlanta mother of four.
Authorities have charged Crittenton, 27, a point guard who played two seasons in the NBA after getting drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, and his cousin, Douglas Gamble, with 12 felonies each in connection with the August 2011 shooting.
Those charges include murder, participation in criminal gang activities and the attempted murder of a man who prosecutors said they believe was the intended target in the shooting.
But the gunfire shot from a dark-colored sport utility vehicle instead hit and killed Julian Jones, 22, who was walking with friends in southwest Atlanta.
Prosecutors have said the shooting was gang-related and retaliation against a person Crittenton believed had robbed him.
An attorney for Crittenton previously said he had not committed the alleged crimes and would fight the charges.
Crittenton ended his career in 2009 with the Washington Wizards after a stint in Memphis, according to the league website. He previously played college basketball at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.