Jury chosen in former "enemy combatant" trial (Padilla)

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Jury chosen in former "enemy combatant" trial

By Jane Sutton Tue May 8, 6:14 PM ET

MIAMI (Reuters) - Defense lawyers accused the U.S. government
of trying to oust anyone with Muslim ties from the jury seated on
Tuesday to try former "dirty bomber" suspect Jose Padilla and two
other men on charges of supporting terrorism.

Prosecutors in turn accused the defense of trying to strike all the
white and Hispanic men from the Miami jury chosen to try the case.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke questioned both sides about their
reasons for excusing jury candidates and found that none had been
excused for racial, ethnic or religious reasons.

The panel of seven men and five women was scheduled to hear
opening statements on Monday in the trial, which is expected to
last through August.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070508/pl_nm/usa_padilla_dc

[Toots]

1. Well thank goodness we have a constitutional right to a speedy trial

D'oh.......