Attorneys estimate that the trial will last at least a month.
Shipley commended the work of the U.S. attorneys assigned to the case. But the thought of the trial brings her to tears.
"I'm just so sad," she said. "I'm very sad that I've got to live through this again."
TIMELINE
March 4, 2006 : Carl Lackl sees a man he identifies as Patrick Albert Byers Jr. throw a gun and run from the direction of Larry Haynes' murder.
March 20, 2006 : Byers is charged with Haynes' murder and ordered held without bond in the Baltimore City Detention Center.
July 2, 2007 : Lackl is killed in a drive-by shooting in front of his Baltimore County home about 8:45 p.m., eight days before he was scheduled to testify against Byers.
Feb. 5, 2008 : A federal grand jury in Baltimore charges four people in the Lackl's murder.
April 15, 2008 : Baltimore City prosecutors drop murder charges against Byers in the March 2006 shooting to let the federal prosecution take precedence.
Aug. 5, 2008 : The government says it will seek the death penalty against Byers.
Today : Opening statements are scheduled in Byers' trial.
