Jury selection continues; judge dismisses nearly 30

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2001 | 11:07 a.m.

Jury selection continued this morning in the murder trial of Margaret Rudin.

Nearly 30 of the 140 prospective jurors in the trial were excused Monday, the first day of jury selection.

Twelve people will be selected to decide if Rudin is guilty of murdering her husband six years ago. Another six will be picked as alternates.

Most of the potential jurors were excused by District Judge Joseph Bonaventure for a wide variety of reasons ranging from chronic forgetfulness to ill family members and college schedules. Two of the potential jurors were dismissed because they knew witnesses for the state.

Another three members of the potential jury pool were let go after they said their religious faith prevents them from being able to judge others.

Surprisingly, despite the national media attention the case has garnered, only one juror was dismissed Monday because she had already formed an opinion about Rudin's guilt. Many of the jurors said they hadn't heard much about the case.

Prosecutors say Rudin, 56, and an unknown accomplice shot her fifth husband, Ronald Rudin, 64, in the head several times Dec. 18, 1994, as he slept. His decapitated and charred remains were found near Nelson's Landing at Lake Mohave about a month later.

Ronald Rudin, a real estate developer, is believed to have been worth between $5 million and $11 million.

Prosecutors believe Margaret Rudin killed her husband to get her hands on his fortune and because she had recently learned he was having an affair.

Rudin's attorney, Michael Amador, has said it is more likely Ronald Rudin's other beneficiaries killed him.

Attorneys for both sides are allowed to excuse 10 jurors each without stating reasons. Prosecutors Chris Owens and Gary Guymon used four of their "peremptory strikes" Monday, and Amador and fellow defense attorney Thomas Pitaro used three.

No one will be selected as a juror until all of the strikes are used.

The potential jurors were asked about their opinions on such legal concepts as "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" and "innocent until proven guilty."

They also were asked by prosecutors if they would have difficulty convicting Rudin because of her gender.

Amador, who has said he intends to rebut much of the state's scientific evidence, asked a handful of the more educated jurors if they had taken science courses. He also asked some about their math backgrounds.

The defense attorney also wanted to know if it bothered any of the jurors that both Rudins were on their fifth marriage.

In addition to the murder charge, Rudin faces one count of accessory to murder and one wiretap-related charge.

Prosecutors allege Rudin had bugged her husband's office at least three years before he died. They claim she taped hundreds of his phone calls in addition to taking copious notes.

If convicted of murder, Rudin faces 20 years to life in prison. The wiretapping count carries a one- to six-year sentence and the accessory charge carries a one- to five-year sentence.

Both sides have agreed to allow Bonaventure to sentence Rudin if she's convicted.

The trial is expected to last four to six weeks.