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TRIAL SET
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Jury selection is being held this week in the double trial of Jerry Michael Benge, 48, and Sean Benje, 29, both suspects in the Jan. 4, 2005 murder of Ceres resident Steve Brown.

Both men are being tried for first-degree murder. Trial is expected to start on Monday.

Brown, 45, was found shot to death inside his rural Ceres home in the 6900 block of Crows Landing Road.

Sheriff's detectives learned that Brown's wife, Katherine Brown, had a close relationship with Jerry Benge. They believe that Benge enlisted the help of his nephew, Sean, to "get rid of" Steven Brown or cause him serious injury. Detectives said that Sean Benge broke into the Brown residence and waited until he arrived home from work. When Brown walked into the house he was attacked and shot by the nephew, they believe.

Witnesses saw Sean Benge leaving the residence on a red motorcycle.

"We've waited a long time for this trial," said Brown's sister, Diana McGill of Ceres.

A double jury is being selected, said McGill, which is a first in Stanislaus County.