Trial begins for sheriff's deputy accused in threat

INDIO -- Jury selection began today in the Indio Superior Court trial of an off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy accused of holding a gun to a man's head in an alleged road-rage incident.

Richard Heverly, 43, of La Verne, is charged with four felonies for allegedly threatening to kill a tow truck driver.

The tow truck driver blocked lanes on the 10 Freeway about 50 miles east of Indio after an Aug. 10, 2008 traffic accident, and Heverly reportedly threatened the driver after the driver refused to move his truck.

Heverly was hired by the sheriff's department in 2006. He works at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Heverly faces other felony charges in a separate case for allegedly bringing his service weapon to court in an appearance for his road-rage case.

Jury selection is scheduled to continue tomorrow morning, according to online court records.