Jury selected for manslaughter trial

Lawyers have chosen the men and women who will make up the 12-person jury that will decide the fate of a Thunder Bay man who was charged with manslaughter in 2007.

Mervin Spence, 24, appeared in court with his lawyer Monday for the jury selection of his trial. Spence pleaded not guilty to the charge of manslaughter in connection to the death of 44-year-old Scott James.

James was found collapsed outside a Simpson Street bar on Dec. 13, 2007 and died later that day in hospital.

Police later charged Spence with manslaughter in September 2008. He was then released on bail.

Superior Court Judge B.R. Warkentin told about 150 potential jurors in court to keep an open mind and to remember that the burden of serving on a jury is a small price to pay as a Canadian citizen.

"No one wants an innocent person convicted," Warkentin said. "There is a world of difference between an open mind and an empty one. I know people talk about the burden of jury duty. People tend to forget the privilege of a fair trial."

Council said the trial will start on Tuesday and could take more than a week to complete.