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Opening Arguments Set to Begin Friday in Bingo Corruption Trial

By Morgan Hightower

Story Created: Jun 9, 2011

Story Updated: Jun 10, 2011

After four days of questioning more than 80 potential jurors, lawyers in the bingo corruption trial were finally able to strike a jury.

Around 3:30 Thursday afternoon, lawyers for the defense and prosecution hand selected their jury.

In less than a hour, the 12 person jury and five alternates were set.

10 of the main jurors are female, and only 2 are male.

Their jobs range from homemaker to insurance agent to post man, just to name a few.

Lawyers in the case they're satisfied with the jury they've selected.

“We've worked hard, everybody has worked hard and we've got a good, fair and impartial jury. And we get started in the morning and we are excited about that,” said Joe Espy, Milton McGregor’s lawyer.

“There were a lot of people that were excused because of preconceived notions and bias and we got rid of the folks irrespective of gender or race that we thought couldn't be fair,” said Susan James, Jay Walker’s lawyer.

After the jury was selected, Judge Thompson and the attorneys discussed 40 different motions - all conversations were kept behind closed doors though.

Opening arguments will begin at 9 a.m. Friday.