Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh was selected to serve as a juror in an Allegheny County criminal court trial that begins tomorrow.

Earlier this week, attorneys on the three-defendant home invasion and sex assault case all told the Common Pleas jury room staff they would have no problem having Bishop Zubik on the panel. He is among 14 jurors scheduled to appear in Judge Kathleen A. Durkin's court tomorrow for the first day of the trial.

Ryan M. Whittington, 20, of Duquesne, Steven Ashby, 19, of Duquesne, and Taneesha N. Middleton, 22, of Homestead, are charged with multiple counts each, including robbery, sexual assault and conspiracy related to a break-in in Duquesne in 2006.

Defense attorney James Sheets, who represents Mr. Whittington, said being a Catholic did not factor into his decision to approve of Bishop Zubik for the panel. "I'm looking for someone who can be fair, impartial and hold the commonwealth to their burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on his questionnaire and a few additional . . . questions, I was of opinion the bishop met those requirements."