Crystal
03-04-2005, 10:43 AM
Jury seated for truck driver's trial
Houston Chronicle
First published: Friday, March 4, 2005
HOUSTON -- A federal judge rescheduled the much-delayed trial of truck driver Tyrone Williams and swore in four alternate jurors Thursday, completing the panel that will hear the case.
The trial could be delayed even beyond Tuesday's planned start, however, if the U.S. Supreme Court decides today to hear an appeal by Williams' attorney.
Opening arguments were to have begun this morning, but U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore agreed to requests from the defense and prosecution that the trial be put off until next week.
Williams, 34, a Jamaican immigrant from Schenectady, is accused of causing the deaths of 19 illegal immigrants who were locked in a trailer he was towing in South Texas in May 2003. He could be sentenced to death if convicted.
The six-day process of selecting the regular jury was completed Wednesday with the seating of seven women and five men.
Williams' attorney, Craig Washington, has accused the government of singling out his client for the death penalty because he is black.
Houston Chronicle
First published: Friday, March 4, 2005
HOUSTON -- A federal judge rescheduled the much-delayed trial of truck driver Tyrone Williams and swore in four alternate jurors Thursday, completing the panel that will hear the case.
The trial could be delayed even beyond Tuesday's planned start, however, if the U.S. Supreme Court decides today to hear an appeal by Williams' attorney.
Opening arguments were to have begun this morning, but U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore agreed to requests from the defense and prosecution that the trial be put off until next week.
Williams, 34, a Jamaican immigrant from Schenectady, is accused of causing the deaths of 19 illegal immigrants who were locked in a trailer he was towing in South Texas in May 2003. He could be sentenced to death if convicted.
The six-day process of selecting the regular jury was completed Wednesday with the seating of seven women and five men.
Williams' attorney, Craig Washington, has accused the government of singling out his client for the death penalty because he is black.