By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle correspondent

     The murder trial of Philip J. "Jeb" Strong II, 59, Curlew, is scheduled to begin with jury selection at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, in Ferry County Superior Court.
     Strong is accused of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Trent V. Irby, 37, Curlew, south of Curlew last April. The trial previously was set for June 4, then rescheduled for Sept. 12.
     Prosecution in the case has been taken over by John C. Hillman, state assistant attorney general.
     Steve Graham is the defense attorney representing Strong.
     Irby was shot around 5:49 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, on Tonasket Creek Road about two miles south of Curlew.
     A witness, Kelly Lynn Stout, reported the shooting. She told officers Strong had shot Irby, according to court records.
     Strong and Irby had been living at the same residence and apparently had been drinking and laughing the previous day. Irby apparently had asked Strong to leave because of some escalating problems, according to a statement from Ferry County sheriff Pete Warner.
     Stout allegedly told the deputy who responded to the shooting that Strong had come into the home and asked Trent, "Are you ready to die?"
     Irby raised his arms and replied, in a joking manner, "Bring it on, mother--," according to court records.
     Strong is accused of shooting Irby in the chest. Irby allegedly jerked and fell right to the floor and didn't move, according to court documents.