LOWVILLE — A jury of eight women and four men was selected Monday for the trial of Steven L. Cridge, 38, Central Square, who is accused of raping a woman in Lowville.

Opening statements and testimony are set for today in Lewis County Court, with Judge Charles C. Merrell presiding.

Cridge is charged with first-degree and third-degree rape, first-degree attempted criminal sex act and two counts of third-degree assault. He allegedly raped the 29-year-old woman whom he met on the Yahoo! Personals Internet site, and punched her in the mouth and back May 21, 2007.

On March 18 he pleaded guilty to third-degree rape to avoid trial. However, in June, he was allowed to withdraw his plea.

District Attorney Leanne K. Moser is prosecuting, while Cridge is represented by Syracuse attorney James R. McGraw.