Six jurors picked for rail disaster trial

SHERBROOKE, , Que. — A halfdozen people have so far been selected to sit as jurors for the criminal case of the 2013 LacMégantic train derailment that killed 47 people and destroyed part of the town.

Six bilingual jurors — four men and two women — have been plucked from some of the 300 candidates present Friday at the courthouse in Sherbrooke, Que. Quebec Superior Court Justice Gaetan Dumas told prospective jurors they would be required to dole out justice impartially and “without fear” if they were chosen.

Dumas also told them they must be patient and have an open mind while listening to the whole of the evidence. Three former railway employees — train driver Thomas Harding, traffic controller Richard Labrie and manager of train operations Jean Demaitre — each face one charge of criminal negligence causing the deaths of 47 people.

Prospective jurors have been asked a series of questions about whether they were personally affected by the tragedy and whether they have any links to people working in the rail industry.

Thomas Walsh, one of the defence lawyers, said he expected the 14-member jury to be formed by Friday afternoon, with a trial beginning Monday.

The Crown will call 24 civilian and 11 police witnesses, and one expert witness in a trial that is expected to last until December.