Trial begins for East Palo Alto man accused of murdering tenant

(KRON) — A jury was selected for the murder trial of an East Palo Alto man who is accused of killing his tenant. Prosecutors said John Caisiano Thompson fatally shot the woman, 32-year-old Breanna Labat, during an argument inside his house on Daphne Way on December 2, 2022.

Labat, who rented a room in Thompson’s home, was reported missing to police. After an extensive search for the missing woman, East Palo Alto Police Department detectives concluded that she was killed by her landlord. Labat’s body has never been found.

Thompson “enlisted another person to assist him with disposing of the victim’s remains,” the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office wrote. Investigators said they later discovered that a second person in the house was injured during the shooting by a stray bullet.

Thompson, 47, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Twelve jurors and four alternates were selected on Friday with Superior Court Judge Lisa Novak presiding. Attorneys will make trial motions this week before opening statements begin on July 7.

The accused killer is represented by defense attorneys Emily Andrews and Geoff Carr.