A drowsy-looking Luka Magnotta watched on as the first of 12 jurors and two alternates was sworn in Tuesday morning in Montreal.
Hundreds of potential jurors had been dismissed in the long process of trying to find impartial observers to judge one of the most grisly crimes in the city's history.
Most jurors were excused because they said that they were no sufficiently adept in speaking English and French but many others found other reasons to avoid jury duty.
Both prosecution and defence agreed on five jurors Tuesday while still others were rejected.
Magnotta has pleaded not guilty to five charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the May 2012 slaying and dismemberment of a Chinese engineering student.
The court is vetting two dozen prospective jurors a day until it finds 14 bilingual candidates and two alternates.
Roughly 300 candidates remain from the initial 1,600 summoned last week.
This morning's proceedings mark the the first time the 32-year-old Magnotta hasn't appeared in a high-security courtroom.
Instead, the selection is being done in a regular courtroom to make it easier for Magnotta to talk to his lawyer.
While the trial will take place mostly in English, many witnesses will testify in French.
Hundreds of potential jurors received exemptions last week, primarily because they said they were not proficient enough in both languages.
Besides the murder charge, Magnotta has pleaded not guilty to committing an indignity to a body; publishing obscene material; criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of Parliament; and mailing obscene and indecent material.
-With a file from The Canadian Press
