Jury selection began Monday morning for the federal corruption trial of Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford. U.S. District Judge Scott Coogler, prosecutors and defense lawyers questioned a jury pool drawn from a 10-county area in western Alabama.
In particular, the lawyers wanted to know what media exposure the potential jurors had and whether that exposure would affect their judgment should they become jurors.
Prior to the proceeding, Langford conferred with lawyers and even joked with one member of the media. He told Birmingham News columnist John Archibald he was going to call him as a character witness, or just tell the court that Archibald is a character.
Afterward, though, the mayor seemed perturbed as he brushed off reporters while walking to lunch.
The trial is being held in Tuscaloosa after defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed to move the venue because of pretrial publicity in Birmingham.
Jury selection continues at 1:45.
In particular, the lawyers wanted to know what media exposure the potential jurors had and whether that exposure would affect their judgment should they become jurors.
Prior to the proceeding, Langford conferred with lawyers and even joked with one member of the media. He told Birmingham News columnist John Archibald he was going to call him as a character witness, or just tell the court that Archibald is a character.
Afterward, though, the mayor seemed perturbed as he brushed off reporters while walking to lunch.
The trial is being held in Tuscaloosa after defense attorneys and prosecutors agreed to move the venue because of pretrial publicity in Birmingham.
Jury selection continues at 1:45.
Hutie
