Jury selection began Tuesday in New London Superior Court in the case of Sebastian Tzampop, who is charged with murdering his housemate, Antonio Chajon, at their New London apartment on Christmas Day 2013.

The trial is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 19 before a jury of 12 regular members and four alternates. Judge Barbara Bailey Jongbloed is presiding.

Tzampop, 32, has been incarcerated since he allegedly admitted to city police that he beat and fatally strangled Chajon, who was 39.

Both men had emigrated from the same Guatemalan village and were living in an apartment at 15 Hope St.

"He's from Guatemala, as are several witnesses," Tzampop's attorney, J. Patton Brown III, told prospective jurors during his introductory remarks. "They're all illegal aliens, or as some would say, undocumented immigrants. If that is something that would bother you, please let the judge know."

A short time later, a prospective juror, who appeared to be of Asian descent, told Jongbloed she was not sure if she could be impartial.

"I am against illegal immigration," the woman said. 

The judge excused her from serving on the case after consulting with the attorneys for the state and Tzampop.  

In taking his case to trial, Tzampop turned down an offer from prosecutor Paul J. Narducci to plead guilty in exchange for a 15-year prison sentence. He has pleaded not guilty and said during several pretrial court appearances that he was anxious to have his case resolved and get back to his family.

Tzampop and Chajon, who was found dead in his second-floor bedroom, had been drinking with several other roommates the previous night, according to police.

Tzampop initially told police he didn't remember what happened, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Shown photos of Chajon's injuries, he allegedly told police he felt an "evil, spiritual presence" overtake him and started beating Chajon, who was asleep in bed.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that Chajon died of neck compression "with blunt injuries of head and trunk." In addition, he suffered multiple rib fractures, a lacerated liver, a broken hyoid bone in his neck and broken tracheal cartilage.

Tzampop changed into slacks, dress shirt and necktie before entering the courtroom Tuesday, where he began to cry as court was about to open. After a brief delay, he sat calmly at the defense table, wearing headphones to enable him to hear the Spanish interpreters who are assisting him.

k.florin@theday.com