GLENDALE–Jury selection began Tuesday in the case against Glendale resident Jorjik Avanesian who–on Feb. 6–1996 set fire to his apartment killing his wife and six children. This became the largest mass homicide in Glendale.
Avanesian’s wife Turan–37–and his children Roland–4–Romik–6–Rodrick–8–Ranika–9–Rita–16–Roubina–17 all died in the blaze and Avanesian was arrested and charged with murder.
In September–1996–Pasadena Superior Court Judge Janice Croft found Avanesian incompetent to stand trial–based on two separate psychological evaluations following his arrest.
After spending 14 months at Patton State Hospital for psychological evaluation–he was declared fit to stand trial.
In March–Croft ordered the trial to go forward.