Jury selection begins in Laval corruption trial
Jury selection has begun in the case brought against construction entrepreneur Antonio Accurso, alleging he was part of a system of collusion run by the city of Laval in awarding municipal contracts.
More than 100 people packed into the largest courtroom in the Laval courthouse Monday morning as Superior Court Justice James Brunton began the process that is expected to end on Wednesday with the selection of a jury for a projected five-week trial.
Brunton is expected to hear from candidates during the first two days who want an exemption from being on the jury.
The actual jury selection will begin Wednesday. Based on the schedule laid out by Brunton, the jury will begin hearing evidence on Thursday.
Brunton advised the candidates that, if they are selected, they will probably end up deliberating in the middle of “wedding season.”
“So if you think you will be attending a wedding in (June), now is the time to tell me,” Brunton said, while pointing out that, in Canada, once a jury is sequestered they are expected to live in a hotel and work at a courthouse, with no contact with the outside world, until they reach a decision. This often means a jury ends up deliberating during a weekend or two.
Brunton also informed the candidates they could automatically be exempted if they are 65 or older.
“Although, if you are 65 or older we would appreciate having your life experience,” Brunton said.
Fifteen people, including a 93-year-old woman, were automatically exempted because of their age on Monday.
One man asked to be exempted because he is “almost 65” and will celebrate his birthday in August.
“Almost doesn’t work,” Brunton informed the man.
Accurso, 66, faces five criminal charges, including conspiracy, fraud and breach of trust. The conspiracy charge alleges he was part of a plot involving dozens of people, including former Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt. The alleged conspiracy ran between 1996 and 2010, when Vaillancourt was mayor.
This is the second time Accurso will be tried before a jury on the same charges. The first trial ended in a mistrial in mid-November just before the jury was about to be sequestered.