MARION COUNTY — The murder trial of a 45-year-old Chicago man charged with the 2018 shooting death of a Centralia woman in her home is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection.

Lorenzo Patton could potentially be sentenced to life in prison if a Marion County jury convicts him of the September 2018 shooting death of Precious Jones in her Centralia home.

Patton is charged with first-degree murder and as a habitual criminal, there is the possibility of mandatory life in prison.

He could also receive a 25-year to natural life sentence enhancement due to a firearm being used in the commission of the crime.

According to court records, Patton shot Jones twice – once in the back and once in the chest — and in so doing so either intended to kill or do great bodily harm or knew such an act would cause Jones’ death.

She was found dead in the early morning hours of September 22, 2018, by a person entering her home in the 400 block of Anderson Street in Centralia.

Patton has pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. He remains in the Marion County Jail with bail set at $2 million.