Twelve county residents and two alternates were selected Thursday to determine the fate of a Cranberry Township woman accused of driving her boyfriend to death last year.

The trial for Jessica A. Royall is scheduled to start Aug. 26. The 29-year-old woman is charged with homicide, homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and other charges in the death of Ryan Minett, 27, of New Brighton.

Royall has pleaded not guilty.

Township police said the incident began during a March 2018 argument between Royall and Minett in her home.

Royall left the home to pick up her children. According to police, Minett jumped on her Buick Rendezvous. Minett clung to a luggage rack on the rear driver's side of the vehicle, as Royall drove for half a mile.

Witnesses reported hearing Minett yell, “What are you doing?” and “You're going to kill me,” while also yelling for bystanders to call the police.

He fell off and struck a light pole near the intersection of Cross Creek Drive and Little Pine Road. Investigators said he suffered injuries resulting in his death the next day.

The criminal complaint states Minett died of blunt force trauma to the head, torso and extremities. The report further identified the manner of death as a homicide.

Royall told police the argument began after she discovered money missing from her bank account and a bottle of Vicodin also missing. She said she confronted Minett.

Police said Royall indicated she left the home to avoid more arguing and went to pick up her children in Allegheny County. She said Minett jumped on the vehicle as she drove away.

An initial drug screen after her arrest showed Royall reportedly tested positive for cocaine and opiates, according to court documents.

On Thursday, prosecution and defense lawyers screened potential jurors for the upcoming trial — asking questions such as, would they be more likely to believe a cop or not.

“When we're selecting a jury we don't want to have a fixed opinion or be set in their belief of the facts,” said Assistant District Attorney Laura Pitchford, who is prosecuting the case. “The standard is, can you be impartial and unbiased. Because both sides are entitled to a fair and impartial jury.”

Royall's lawyer, William Difenderfer, was unavailable for comment.

Because Royall's alleged crime has been covered by the media, Pitchford said both sides were careful not to select anyone who was familiar with the case. She said this is done in an effort to ensure potential jurors are unbiased.

“We'd like everyone to learn the facts together as we present it during the trial,” Pitchford said.

Other charges against Royall include homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, driving under the influence, recklessly endangering another person, and five summary traffic violations, including three for failing to stop at stop signs.

She remains in custody in the Butler County Prison without bail.