Jury Selection Underway in Rosson Walmart Hit-and-Run Trial

SAN ANGELO, TX — Attorneys and prosecutors in the hit-and-run trial of 62-year-old James Olon Rosson are selecting a jury Monday morning.  Rosson is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the December 2016 hit-and-run injury of Ernest Ortiz in the Walmart parking lot on S. Bryant Blvd.  

According to court documents, Rosson and Ortiz got into an argument in the parking lot.  Video surveillance showed Ortiz standing in front of a white vehicle and then the vehicle struck Ortiz and, “Ortiz is lifted into the air and lands some feet away from where he was hit.”  Ortiz told investigators that he suffered great pain and bodily injury including a concussion.  

Rosson was picked out of a photo lineup by both Ortiz and his wife.  Officers interviewed Rosson, who admitted to driving the vehicle.  Rosson told officers he was just trying to scare Ortiz and didn’t mean to hit him.  

Rosson is charged with a second degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine. Prosecutors enhanced the charges to a first degree felony, referencing Rosson's earlier conviction for dealing Meth.

119th District Judge Ben Woodward told potential jurors Monday morning that he expected the trial to last a couple of days.