Jury Seated, Opening Statements Set For Tuesday In Seth Williams Trial
PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) --Opening statements are scheduled Tuesday morning in the federal bribery trial of Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams.
Jurors were selected Monday for the trial of the two-term Democrat, who's accused of taking bribes worth tens of thousands of dollars in exchange for legal favors.
The city's top law official has been charged with 29 counts of corruption and bribery charges.
'Speedy Trial' Date Set In Seth Williams Corruption Case
On Monday, 137 potential jurors packed into the courtroom at the federal courthouse.
Of the 137, ten women, two men were chosen to decide Williams' fate.
The judge told the jurors the trial could last three to four weeks.
In court documents filed up to this point, Williams has changed lawyers, unsuccessfully requested the dismissal of charges and has gotten one of the prosecution's witnesses tossed.
Government officials have established their evidence: nearly 200,000 documents, three audio recordings, dozens of witnesses and pages of campaign financial reports and tax returns.
Williams is accused of taking more than $34,000 in illegal gifts, money and trips in exchange for favors using his official title.
ALSO READ: Mother: Son Tried To Save Navy Shipmates After Collision
At the bench is Judge Paul Diamond, who has set a quick pace for the case and says a speedy trial is in the best interest of the public.
Williams has maintained his innocence and his defense team says they have a number of character witnesses to vouch for him.
CBS3's Joe Holden contributed to this report.
