Posted on 05/06/2005 11:06:00 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN DIEGO (AP) - A retired Navy commander, an insurance underwriter and a fan of conservative talk radio were appointed Friday to a jury that will decide whether two San Diego councilmen took money from a Las Vegas strip-club owner in exchange for trying to ease restrictions on touching dancers at adult bars.
The jury of eight men and four women will hear opening statements Tuesday in the trial of Councilmen Ralph Inzunza and Michael Zucchet, who have pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and extortion in an alleged scheme to repeal San Diego's "no-touch" law for tens of thousands of dollars.
Lance Malone, a co-defendant and one-time lobbyist for strip-club owner Michael Galardi, has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion and racketeering.
It took four days for U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller to field a jury from 147 candidates. The jury pool was asked for opinions on politicians, San Diego's pension and budget problems, adult entertainment and more.
Jerry Coughlan, Zucchet's attorney, said he was satisfied. "In many ways it's the most fun part of a trial," he told reporters.
On Thursday, defense attorneys disclosed a list of potential witnesses that includes San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, Fire Chief Jeff Bowman, City Manager Lamont Ewell and other top officials.
The prosecution has indicated it may call San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy and several members of the City Council.
The outcome will likely hinge on voluminous wiretaps and the testimony of Galardi and club manager John D'Intino, who pleaded guilty and are cooperating with the government. Attorneys for Zucchet and Inzunza are expected to argue that the councilmen thought they were accepting legitimate campaign contributions.
I think the lot of them are guilty until proven innocent. I would not have made the cut for this jury.
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