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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The process of seating the jury for a Rochester man's murder trial began this morning at the Olmsted County Courthouse.

32-year-old Muhidin Omar Abukar is one of the two men charged with the execution-style murder of 28-year-old Garad Roble. He was found shot to death the morning of March 5th, 2019 along a rural southeast Rochester road just east of the Shoppes on Maine complex.

Abukar is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in Roble's death. The criminal complaint says cell phone tracking and witness statements linked him to the crime, including one witness who told investigators Abukar said things that made it appear he was taking credit for the killing while they were both inmates of the Olmsted County jail.

Abukar was sent to prison in 2010 for a previous second-degree murder conviction. In that case, he was given a 14-year sentence for the 2009 shooting death of 32-year-old Ryan Nissalke in Rochester.

Olmsted County ADC photo
Olmsted County ADC photo
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The other man charged with the death of Roble is currently scheduled to stand trial in mid-February. 25-year-old Ayub Iman is also charged with second-degree murder in the case.

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