The March trial of indicted Washington state Auditor Troy Kelley could take four to six weeks. That’s according to proposed jury questionnaires filed with the federal court.
Kelley has been indicted for possession of stolen funds and tax evasion in a case involving his past business practices in the real estate services industry. His upcoming trial promises to be long and complex.
In their proposed jury questionnaires, both the prosecution and defense ask potential jurors about the burden of a lengthy trial. The defense specifically asks whether it would be such a hardship as to affect a juror’s impartiality.
Both sides also want to ask the jury pool about their familiarity with the case from media reports. The defense wants to know if jurors voted for Kelley. Other questions deal with the jury pool’s experience with the title and escrow industry and their feelings about the IRS.
Kelley’s trial is scheduled to begin March 14. The first-term Democrat has pleaded not guilty to all charges and recently returned to work in the State Auditor’s office.
Copyright 2016 Northwest News Network
