Grand jury chosen in Douglas County

Monday, July 17, 2000 | 9:46 a.m.

Some 200 people were sent questionnaires before the jury was seated.

The prospective members will be subpoenaed this week for a meeting with district judges Dave Gamble and Michael Gibbons, who will explain the process and answer questions.

It took four tries to find three dozen people who could afford the time serving on a grand jury takes. Meetings are likely to continue into next year, although sessions could be called once a week or less by then.

The judges will answer questions and explain the requirements of grand jury service. They also will question the prospective jurors and choose 17, plus a few alternates.

Gamble said the names of the jurors probably will be disclosed, but otherwise the group's proceedings are secret. He said the jury selection process should be completed in an afternoon.

The panel will be asked to review government operations and residents can submit potential topics of inquiry. The county has set aside $100,000 to pay for the probe, which the judges requested earlier in the year.

They say there's nothing in particular the jurors will need to consider, but they felt it was time for the county's first grand jury since 1993-94.