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Juror replaced in Orie Melvin case
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One of the jurors chosen Wednesday to hear the criminal case against state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin was replaced this morning.
Juror No. 11, a woman, contacted the court and said she would be unable to serve for the trial, which could last as many as four weeks.
That juror was replaced by the first alternate chosen Wednesday, and the parties selected another woman to fill in the last alternate slot.
The jury includes nine women and three men. There are four alternates.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Lester G. Nauhaus said opening statements in the case will begin Friday morning at 9:30.
Justice Orie Melvin is charged with seven counts, including theft of services and conspiracy, related to using her judicial staff to campaign for the high court in 2003 and 2009.
First Published January 24, 2013 12:13 pm
