Jun 20, 2016 3 min read

The trial of a Jefferson Township man charged in the shooting death of his brother started Monday before a Washington County jury.

Robert Jay Bauduin, 48, of 863 Bethel Ridge Road, faces a charge of criminal homicide in connection with the Nov. 30, 2013, death of Richard Bauduin Jr., 47, of Colliers, W.Va. The alleged homicide occurred at the home Robert Bauduin, who allegedly admitted to shooting his brother when he was interviewed by state police, shared with their father.

Both sides gave opening statements late Monday afternoon after jury selection took up most of the day.

Assistant District Attorney Leslie Ridge said during her opening argument Bauduin’s statements following the shooting don’t show “any real sympathy or sorrow” over his brother’s death.

She also noted Bauduin’s account of events changed in the statements he gave following the incident, showing he was trying to hide that his actions were intentional.

“This was not an accident,” Ridge said.

Assistant Public Defender Rose Semple, who represents Bauduin, set the stage in her opening argument to present a case her client thought he was acting in self-defense.

The defense plans to show a shotgun other than the one allegedly used in the shooting was found at the house, and it had Richard Bauduin Jr.’s blood on it. The victim’s DNA was on the trigger, she said.

“This is very suggestive that Richard Jr. was holding the second shotgun when he was shot,” Semple said.

The state’s case includes a taped conversation between Robert Bauduin and a 911 dispatcher in which he speaks with a dispatcher before a gunshot is heard and then he gets back on the line and allegedly admits to shooting his brother.

Robert Bauduin also reportedly told state police during a taped interview he shot his brother after arguing with his father and brother much of the day.

State Trooper Douglas Rush, who filed the charge against Robert Bauduin, said at a 2013 preliminary hearing the version of events the defendant gave investigators didn’t line up with the 911 call.

Robert Bauduin allegedly told investigators he’d fallen asleep in his bedroom on a couch he uses as a bed.

When he heard someone enter his room, he grabbed a nearby shotgun and fired a shot.

State police were called to the house shortly before 7 p.m. When they arrived, they found Richard Bauduin Jr. laying in the hallway with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head, according to testimony Monday from two troopers who responded to the shooting.

Jared Jenkins, Washington County 911 operations manager, also took the stand before audio of the 911 call was played. Testimony is expected to resume today. Judge John F. DiSalle said his plan is for the trial not to continue past Friday.

Robert Bauduin is being held without bond at Washington County jail.