Antonio Moore, 21, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the April 14, 2007, shooting of 21-year-old Michael Francis behind a Brooklyn Park row house, even though police never found Mr. Francis' body.

It is the second such trial for Mr. Moore. A county judge declared a mistrial in March after a state witness testified the Toyota Solara Mr. Moore was driving the day of the killing was stolen from Russell Toyota in Baltimore.

Circuit Court Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch said in March the jury could conclude that Mr. Moore stole the car, even though he was never charged with the crime and an employee of Russell Toyota is under investigation for insurance fraud in connection with the theft.

Attorneys yesterday questioned more than 90 jurors before selecting a new 12-person panel.

New commandant named at academy

Annapolis - Alumnus Capt. Matthew L. Klunder has been named the Naval Academy's 83rd commandant of midshipman, officials announced yesterday.

Capt. Klunder graduated as a physics major in 1982. He also holds a master's degree in aerodynamics and aviation systems from the University of Tennessee, and a master's degree in strategic studies from the Naval War College.

Currently, Capt. Klunder, an Alexandria, Va. native, is on the staff for the deputy chief of Naval operations for information, plans and strategy. He was designated a Naval aviator in 1984.

His experience includes command of Carrier Air Wing TWO, which included two Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployments, and tsunami and Hurricane Katrina relief.

As commandant of midshipman, a position similar to dean at a civilian college, Capt. Klunder will oversee daily operations of the 4,300-member Brigade of Midshipmen.

He replaces Capt. Margaret D. Klein, who served as commandant since December 2006 and was the first woman named to the position. She has been selected for promotion to rear admiral and assigned as operations officer of the Naval Network Warfare Command in Norfolk, Va.

Capt. Klunder will take over in June.

Herndon climb is set for tomorrow

Annapolis - The annual rite of passage for Naval Academy midshipmen finishing up their freshman year is tomorrow: the climbing of the greased Herndon Monument.

Academy officials considered scaling back participation in the obelisk climb this year, but last week relented to keep the tradition intact. There will be more safety officers on hand and better crowd control.

The Herndon Monument is a 21-foot granite obelisk, and it is covered in lard for the climb. Mids work as a team to send classmates to the top.

It can take hours, but once a mid makes it to the top he or she removes a plebe hat or "Dixie cup" that upperclassmen tape to the top, and replaces it with a midshipman's hat.

Last year Midshipman 4th Class Jamie Schrock, 18, reached the top of the monument in 1 hour, 32 minutes and 42 seconds, roughly 18 minutes longer than the previous year's time of 1 hour, 14 minutes and 15 seconds.

- From staff reports