MONTGOMERY — Nearly half of potential jurors asked to be excused from duty in Alabama's gambling corruption retrial as jury selection went into a third day Wednesday.
Twelve of the pool of 29 — the largest in the three days of jury selection and a possible indicator attorneys may be nearing their selection — gave excuses ranging from wanting to be with pregnant wives to work considerations. One possible juror said his niece was involved in the first trial and another said she was unemployed and had a job interview on Thursday. The man did not specify what his niece's involvement was.
U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson has already excused three jurors of the 55 interviewed on Monday and Tuesday.
Thompson also warned jurors to have no contact with attorneys or parties during breaks to avoid the appearance of unfairness.
“This is the one time in your career when you're going to have to suspend Southern hospitality,” he said, requesting that jurors don't even exchange pleasantries with the attorneys or defendants.
Casino owner Milton McGregor, Sen. Harri Anne Smith, former Sens. Larry Means and Jim Preuitt, casino lobbyist Tom Coker, and casino spokesman Jay Walker are accused of using cash gifts, campaign contributions and access to country music stars to buy and sell votes for pro-gambling legislation.
The jury issued no convictions in the first trial, acquitting two defendants and disagreeing on some of the charges.
The list of possible witnesses, read to the new pool of potential jurors, was a who's who of past and present state politicians, including the sitting speaker of the Alabama House, the state Senate president pro tem and former Gov. Bob Riley.
Also named as potentially witnesses were country singers Randy Owen, Lorrie Morgan and George Jones, all of whom had supported electronic bingo gambling in Alabama. Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. could also be called as a witness.
Thompson again admonished potential jurors not to let the death of a former defendant last month impact their judgment in the case. Thompson delayed jury selection for a week after former legislative bill writer Ray Crosby, 63, was found dead in his home. An autopsy report showed he died of natural causes.
After his indictment, Crosby went through a divorce with his wife, Sandra. Sandra Crosby appears on the list of possible witnesses for the prosecution.
Nearly 200 potential jurors have been called for the retrial. Attorneys hope to have picked a dozen jurors Thursday or Friday.
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