HAMILTON COUNTY — The jury trial of a 24-year-old McLeansboro man accused of the 2016 shooting death of 45-year-old James Burkel of Salem will begin Monday.

Zachary Shock was arrested in Fairfield after he allegedly fled from his mother’s home in McLeansboro where he’s alleged to have shot and killed Burkel.

Shock is charged with two counts first-degree murder and one count Class X felony aggravated battery with the discharge of a firearm.

Each count first degree murder is punishable by between 20 and 60 years in prison if convicted and the Class X is punishable by between 6 and 30 years in prison if convicted. Shock has been advised of possible extended term sentencing in the case.

Since his 2016 arrest, Shock has been held in the White County Jail for Hamilton County. However, he escaped earlier this summer with two other inmates. He was on the run for several weeks before being captured and brought back to the jail.

It was agreed during a final pre-trial hearing Tuesday in Hamilton County court that evidence of the escape will be allowed to be presented during the murder trial, as well as a letter from Shock to his girlfriend.

The court has reserved its ruling on the defense motion for a change of venue for the trial.

It appeared last week that a plea agreement was possible in the case; however, after two hours of negotiations no agreement could be reached.

The case is now scheduled for jury selection at 9 a.m. Monday, August 27.