Trial arrives for teacher who tried to kill teen

BELLEVILLE -- A former southwestern Illinois high school teacher serving time for trying to kill a teenager is on trial for allegedly assaulting a nurse who tried to treat him after a suicide attempt.

Jury selection got under way Monday in St. Clair County Circuit Court for 29-year-old Samson Shelton on charges of aggravated battery. He has pleaded innocent to the charges.

Authorities say he roughed up a nurse after he overdosed on prescription medication in May 2007.

At the time, he was free on bond on charges that he tried to murder then-17-year-old Ashley Reeves in 2006, leaving her for dead in a Belleville park where she later was found.

Shelton pleaded guilty in that attack and is serving a 20-year sentence.

Testimony in Shelton's aggravated battery trial is expected to begin Tuesday.