WARREN — Opening arguments are expected to begin this morning in the aggravated murder trial of Zaa Von Hameed, a 27-year-old Warren man accused in the May 13 shooting death of Nathaniel Bradley, 20, inside Park Place 24 Tavern.

Hameed faces a charge of aggravated murder with a firearm specification.

During a pretrial hearing, a third-degree felony charge of illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises was dismissed.

Assistant prosecutors Michael Burnett and Kevin Trapp will handle the case for the state, according to the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office. Burnett indicated that his final witness is expected to testify in the afternoon. Hameed is represented by defense attorney Aaron M. Meikle.

Jury selection commenced Tuesday afternoon and was completed later in the day. The trial is being presided over by Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew D. Logan.

Logan previously upheld Hameed’s $1 million bond, citing his apprehension by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force in Columbus after reportedly fleeing Warren following the incident. Hameed remains in custody at the Trumbull County jail.

Hameed pleaded not guilty to the charges, and prosecutors allege that he shot Bradley after a physical altercation at the Parkman Road NW bar.

Following the incident, the owner of Park Place 24 Tavern reached an agreement with city officials to permanently close the establishment because of its history of violent incidents. Under the terms of the agreement, the bar’s liquor license was placed under “safekeeping” and can only be reactivated if sold to a qualified buyer.