One of two murder trials scheduled to take place this year began with jury selection today at a local hotel.

Christina Asp is one of two people charged with the 2008 murder of Gordon Seybold.

Asp, along with Norman Larue, were originally scheduled to go to trial together.

The trials have since been split, with Larue's scheduled to be heard in the fall.

Seybold's body was found in the charred remains of his Ibex Valley home in March 2008.

Larue is also charged with arson in the case.

The pair were arrested in Alberta about a year and a half after Seybold's body was found.

Earlier this month, Yukon Supreme Court Justice Leigh Gower denied a request from Larue's lawyer for a publication ban on the Asp trial until after the second trial is over.

The lawyer argued that his client's jury could be prejudiced if details from the earlier trial are made public.

Gower ruled publication bans should only be issued as a last resort, adding that juries across Canada have been able to return fair verdicts even in high-profile cases.

Before any trial can begin, an appropriate jury needs to be selected.

More than 400 jury summons were sent out and 167 people have confirmed they planned to attend the selection process this morning at the High Country Inn.

Those chosen will have a long process ahead of them. The trial is expected to last for several months.

In 2010, when there were still plans to have only one trial, the head of Yukon Legal Services said it would likely be the biggest and most expensive the territory has ever seen.

It is unlikely the jury will begin hearing testimony until at least next week.