WARWICK — Jury selection got under way yesterday in the murder trial of a West Warwick man accused of beating and strangling a woman staying at his house in 2006.

Brian Mlyniec, 45, pleaded “absolutely not guilty” before Superior Court Judge Edwin C. Gale.

Mlyniec is charged with first-degree murder. A jury of 16 will be impaneled to hear the case. Selection was expected to take place yesterday and today if necessary.

West Warwick firefighters discovered the body of Kelly Ann Anderson, 41, inside Mlyniec’s home on the afternoon of June 23, 2006, after getting an anonymous call reporting a possible overdose. Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene. She had injuries to her face, throat and neck.

Mlyniec denied slaying Anderson, according to a police affidavit, and told the police the two had engaged in consensual, violent sexual activities that resulted in the bruises and bleeding.

The West Warwick police arrested Mlyniec after the state medical examiner’s autopsy showed strangulation caused Anderson’s death, Police Chief Peter T. Brousseau told The Journal in 2006.

Yesterday, Gale said that opening statements from the prosecution and defense will begin Monday.

The prosecution lists 15 potential witnesses — people who may be called to testify and people who may be referenced during the trial. They are from the West Warwick police and fire departments, six civilians and a doctor from the state Office of Medical Examiners.