Testimony continues today (Thursday) in the trial of Ralph Bowling III, 41, who is charged with the murder of his estranged wife, Cheyenne Bowling, and attempted murder in the shooting of Nathan Farrell, as well as arson and weapons charges.

Bowling, from Woodland, is accused of shooting his wife and Farrell in the early morning hours of June 11 last year in the home of his wife’s mother and stepfather on Bird Road. The parents were out of town. After he was shot in the neck, Farrell ran out of a back door, found help from a neighbor and was taken to a hospital. Cheyenne also fled the house but was shot and killed in the yard.

Bowling is alleged to have driven to his home after the shootings and set the residence on fire, planning to die in the fire, but he changed his mind and left the residence. Several hours later, after throwing the supposed murder weapon, a 410 gauge shotgun, alongside a road in Ionia County, he turned himself in to authorities.

Jury selection was Monday in Barry County Circuit Court with presiding Judge Amy McDowell; it is expected to last until early next week.

Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor-Pratt is handling the case for the state. Attorney James Goulooze is representing Bowling. He has been held on $1 million bond.

Conviction of the murder charge could bring a sentence of life in prison.