Trial begins for 2008 slaying

Jury selection begins Tuesday in the firstdegree murder trial of Gary Lamont Hayes, 25, of Havelock. Hayes is charged with the April 2008 murder of Odell Foster Jr., 29, of Harlowe, near the Bayview Restaurant in Havelock.

A second man, Moises H. Rodriguez, 23, of Havelock, was charged by Havelock police with murder. His charge was later reduced to accessory after the fact. He was released from jail and given credit for time served. He is expected to testify in Hayes’ murder trial.

Foster was shot and killed around 3 a.m. April 26, 2008, outside the restaurant on East Main Street.

Havelock Police Chief G. Wayne Cyrus said last year that the suspects and Foster apparently talked at a club before the shooting. An autopsy indicated Foster died of three gunshot wounds — one to the chest and two below his waist.

Police heard gunshots in the parking lot, saw two cars speed away and arrested Rodriquez and Hayes on Pineview Road. Lawmen took a gun and empty shell casings from the car that Hayes and Rodriguez were driving.

Foster was put in a car by friends and driven to Carteret General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Foster was convicted of manslaughter in Carteret County March 3, 2000 and was sentenced to 5 years and 11 months in prison. He was released from prison July 30, 2003, according to the N.C. Department of Correction.

Superior Court Judge Ben Alford will hear the case. District Attorney Scott Thomas and Assistant District Attorney Ann Kirby will prosecute. Onslow County defense lawyer Wally Paramore Jr. will represent Hayes.