Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the trial of a North End man who allegedly bludgeoned a disabled man to death six years ago but only recently was deemed competent to take part in the proceedings.

WILLIAM DOLAN (D.O.B. 2/17/87) is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly beating 51-year-old Israel Vega, also of the North End, to death with a large rock near the intersection of Salem and Stillman streets on July 31, 2003. The rock is believed to have come from a planter near the scene.

Dolan was identified as a suspect after his arrest the next day on unrelated larceny and assault charges. At the time of that arrest, Boston Police observed what appeared to be blood stains on his shoes and clothing; those stains were analyzed at the Boston Police Crime Laboratory and were found to contain DNA matching that of the victim.

Dolan was sent for evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital after his Oct. 3, 2003, arraignment in the Boston Municipal Court and remained there until September of last year. After being deemed competent to assist in his own defense, he was transferred to the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center to await trial.

Assistant District Attorney Delayne Austin is trying the case with defense attorneys Tracy Dudevoir and Scott Curtis before Judge Peter Lauriat in courtroom 808 of Suffolk Superior Court.