The trial begins for the man accused of beating his girlfriend to death

CANTON, Ohio – It’s been more than three months since a brutal murder shocked many people in Stark County – the slaying of 24-year-old Raychel Sheridan, who was reported missing by her family before her body was found in – a trash can.

On Tuesday, the suspect, Sean Goe, will be arraigned in Stark County Common Pleas Court.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the morning, followed by opening statements in the early afternoon in Judge Frank Forchione’s courtroom.

Goe faces several charges, including murder, felonious assault, burglary and abuse of a corpse. If convicted, he could face life in prison.

RELATED: Man charged with murder in connection with Raychel Sheridan’s death

Sheridan’s brother, Jonathan Gillilan, has experienced a range of emotions since her death, including heartache, anger and anxiety.

“It was just hell and back,” Gillilan said. “She’s still my sister. I loved her. I wanted to be there for her as much as I could.”

Family members told News 5 that Sheridan was generous and loved cats and sunflowers.

“People who knew her, and who I know, talked about how kind she was, how pleasant she was to be around and how much she lit up a room every time she walked in.”

In early July, Sheridan did not show up for work. Her worried mother contacted the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators determined there were crime scene signs in her Plain Township apartment.

“Evidence of foul play was discovered. Detectives have determined that Sheridan was murdered in the apartment,” Sheriff George Maier said during a press conference in July.

However, she was not there. Sanitation workers later found her body in a trash can at Mother Goose Land Park in Canton.

Missing woman’s body found by Canton sanitation workers

RELATED: Missing woman’s body found by Canton sanitation workers

Detectives said Goe beat Sheridan to death and then hid her remains. Goe was arrested at a homeless shelter.

Gillilan remains disgusted at the thought of someone capable of such violence.

“The mind is a vile place, and for someone like that to show no real remorse after the fact, it’s disgusting,” he said.

Goe pleaded not guilty to murder. According to court records, he is being represented by an attorney with the Stark County Public Defender’s Office.

Gillilan and other family members plan to attend the entire trial.

“I hope everything we can by the next day, two, three, however long it may take for the process, that it will be resolved and quickly,” Gillilan said.

Court records show Goe had active warrants prior to the homicide, including domestic violence and criminal injury/endangerment charges involving Sheridan.

According to the records, Goe punched holes in the victim’s tires and threatened to cause him serious harm.

Family and friends believe Sheridan was caught in a cycle of domestic violence.

“I think every one of our conversations ended with you need to get rid of him and she knew that,” family friend Holly Clapsaddle told News 5 over the summer.

As Gillilan prepares to go through a difficult trial, he hopes there will be justice for his sister.

“He didn’t deserve anything close to what he got.”