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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7265671.htmlDeLay jury selected amid jokes, disputes
DeLay jury selected amid jokes, disputes
AUSTIN — Despite controversy over the racial makeup of the jury and quips over Tom DeLay's stint on Dancing With the Stars, 12 jurors were seated Tuesday for the former U.S. House majority leader's trial on political money laundering.
A last-minute dispute erupted after DeLay's defense attorneys struck five potential black jurors, leaving the panel with no African-Americans. Prosecutors objected.
DeLay lawyer Dick DeGuerin cited reasons for striking the jurors. He said three were women who gave him "angry" looks after he raised objections to things said by lead prosecutor Gary Cobb, who is black. Cobb said DeGuerin was being "outrageous." ....
DeLay is accused of conspiracy and money laundering involving the Republican takeover of the Texas House in the 2002 elections, a victory that led to a bitter congressional redistricting battle in 2003.
DeLay and two associates, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro, raised $190,000 in corporate money that could not be used in candidate elections and traded it with the Republican National Committee for a like amount of money for 11 Texas Republican candidates.
Travis County prosecutors say it amounted to money laundering, but DeGuerin contends it was a legal transaction because the prohibited money and the individual money never were commingled. ....
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