LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The trial for Brice Rhodes, the man charged with murdering three people in 2016, is scheduled to start next week. 

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, more than seven years after Rhodes allegedly shot and killed 40-year-old Christopher Jones in May 2016.

Later that month, he allegedly killed 14-year-old Larry Ordway and 16-year-old Maurice Gordon. Police have said Gordon and Ordway were killed at Rhodes' home in Clifton. Their bodies were dumped in the Shawnee neighborhood and set on fire.

Rhodes allegedly tied the two brothers up and made them beg for their life before stabbing them, according to an interview with a co-defendant. The two were allegedly killed because Rhodes was worried they might tell police about his involvement in Jones' murder. 

Documents filed in the case show opening statements are expected to begin on Dec. 13 with the trial not expected to wrap up until January. 

Rhodes is known for his outbursts in court, and has threatened at least one judge. He has also claimed that his attorneys are racists.

But Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Julie Kaelin noted in the court filing that Rhodes has not been "disruptive" for awhile and will not be shackled during the trial. If he does does become disruptive, Kaelin wrote that Rhodes will either be removed from the court or remain while wearing an electrical device capable of shocking him.

Kaelin ruled in April that Rhodes is competent to stand trial. 

The competency hearing was unusual in many ways, including unsuccessful attempts by Rhodes' attorney Tom Griffiths to have several of Rhodes' previous attorneys testify about his conduct over the years, which include numerous outbursts and threats.

Griffiths also attempted to testify himself on Rhodes' behavior and actions since he began representing him, including the fact that Rhodes refuses to talk with Griffiths or acknowledge his defense team.

"I'm not excited about sitting in that chair but I believe I have evidence" the judge needs to hear about whether Rhodes would be able to assist in his own defense at trial, Griffiths said.

Kaelin did not allow Griffiths or any attorney who represented Rhodes in the past to testify, in large part because it would be a violation of attorney-client privilege. Several of the attorneys also said they would refuse to testify. 

Dr. Timothy Allen, a psychiatrist from KCPC, testified that Rhodes is mentally competent to stand trial. Allen said Rhodes is articulate, understands what is happening and "pretty much did everything we asked of him."

Allen said Rhodes does have anti-social personality disorder, anxiety and substance issues. He also has a low IQ — 73 — but Allen said he did not believe Rhodes was giving full effort.

In October, Kaelin ruled that Rhodes is ineligible for the death penalty, saying he has a documented history of serious mental illness or intellectual disability and "this is not a close case" as to whether he is eligible for the death penalty.

"The Court cannot allow such a person to be subjected to the death penalty, regardless of public clamor," she ruled, arguing she should not be swayed by fear of criticism.

Asked if he wanted to represent himself at trial, Rhodes told the judge he wants to hire new attorneys.

The high-profile case has been pending since 2016 and was scheduled for trial in January 2022 before Rhodes' defense asked for a competency evaluation.

Because of a statewide backlog, it took KCPC more than a year to evaluate Rhodes on whether he is competent to stand trial or should be eligible for the death penalty.

Rhodes is being held on a $1 million full cash bond.

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