Jury Selection to Begin in Martha Stewart Case

The search begins this week for the 12 people who will decide whether Martha Stewart is a corporate criminal deserving prison or a powerful businesswoman being victimized for her success and celebrity.

The selection of a jury and alternates in the case that has captured America’s attention begins Tuesday in Manhattan. Questionnaires aimed at weeding out some potential jurors were distributed earlier this month.

Stewart, the former model, stockbroker and caterer who parlayed her cooking and decorating talent into Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., and her former Merrill Lynch & Co. broker, Peter Bacanovic, are accused of obstructing an investigation into her sale of ImClone Systems Inc., a biotech company founded by her friend Sam Waksal. The stock sale came just before ImClone shares tumbled on news that health regulators had rejected a key drug application by the company.

Prosecutors in the case have accused Stewart of lying to investigators, obstructing justice and committing securities fraud, the most serious charge that could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The questioning of prospective jurors will take place behind closed doors after the judge upheld her decision to bar the press from that phase of the case.

From Reuters