Juror queries begin for trial of former O.C. Sheriff Carona
Michael Carona is accused of corruption and witness tampering. More than 300 prospective jurors hear the indictment and are given questionnaires.
Former Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona this morning faced a pool of prospective jurors who could ultimately decide whether he illegally accepted tens of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts during the nine years he led the Sheriff's Department.
More than 300 prospective jurors -- some in the courtroom and some watching a live video feed -- were introduced to Carona and attorneys for the defense and prosecution in the Santa Ana courtroom of U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford. Then, Assistant U.S. Atty. Brett Sagel spent 50 minutes reading the indictment to the potential jurors.
Despite speculation in Orange County law enforcement circles that the case would end in a plea bargain before trial, all indications this week are that the trial will begin Oct. 28 as scheduled.
Before the potential jurors were dismissed, they were asked to fill out a 14-page questionnaire that asked, among other things, whether they had followed the case in the media or had any opinions about the charges.
Attorneys will use the questionnaires to narrow the field before Guilford questions potential jurors in person Oct. 22.
The U.S. attorney's office has accused Carona of accepting tens of thousands of dollars worth of cash, gifts and vacations from people who expected favors from him. He also is charged with witness tampering for allegedly asking former Assistant Sheriff Donald Haidl to lie to a grand jury that was investigating the former sheriff.
Also charged in the case are Carona's wife, Deborah, and his former mistress, Debra V. Hoffman.
Deborah Carona is scheduled to stand trial separately. All three have pleaded not guilty.
Carona resigned from office in January to prepare for the trial. The Orange County Board of Supervisors appointed Sandra Hutchens, a retired Los Angeles County sheriff's executive, to fill out the remainder of his term.
Neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys would disclose whether they are weighing a plea bargain. But some of Carona's closest friends said they expect the case to move forward.
"I know they're excited to go to trial. Their lawyers are optimistic," said Valerie Goldstein, a close friend of Carona and his wife. "He wants to get this over with. He wants to exonerate himself. He truly believes he is right, that he has the evidence to back up his integrity. He feels he can fight every allegation."
