Corrine Brown fraud trial: Over half of potential jurors have prior knowledge of case

More than half of the potential jurors in the federal fraud case against former Congresswoman Corrine Brown told the judge they have prior knowledge of her case.

Brown faces 22 federal charges.

Her trial is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

The government claims the former Congresswomen used a fake charity, One Door for Education, as a personal slush fund.

“It’s been 15 months, and it’s been hell. It’s been very difficult,” said Brown on Sunday.

Thirty-nine of the 65 potential jurors for Brown’s case raised their hands that they had prior knowledge of the case because of something they’d heard from the news media, on social media, or from friends.

At the start of jury selection, only three potential jurors raised their hands that they had strong feelings about Brown based on something they’d heard or read, but that all changed when they got to individual questioning.

Potential juror after potential juror told the judge they felt they could not provide an unbiased verdict in her case.

Judge James Klindt asked each juror individually to recount in detail what they know about Brown’s case and which media outlets they pay attention to.

One potential juror told the judge he watched Action News Jax on Monday morning before reporting for jury duty. He also said he’d formed an opinion in the case based on the facts he’s heard on the news and what he’s heard from friends.

Judge Klindt struck him from the jury pool.

One potential juror told another on the way out of the courthouse for lunch that courthouse security took away her newspaper on Monday morning, even though she said she was just doing the crossword puzzle.

The judge also questioned jurors who said they knew witnesses in the trial, including Clara White Mission CEO Ju’Coby Pittman, attorney Steve Pajcic, Siottis Jackson --who has political ties to Brown, and UNF President John Delaney -- who has a history in local politics.

“The trial has started. We cannot make any statements at this time. We’re under a strict rule with regard to that. And so I can’t offer any comment,” said Brown’s attorney James Smith on Monday when asked about the jury pool.

Jury selection is expected to continue on Tuesday morning.

Opening statements in Brown’s case are scheduled on Wednesday.

The jury will be asked to make a decision on 22 federal indictments, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, seven counts aiding and abetting mail fraud, nine counts aiding and abetting wire fraud, engaging in a scheme to conceal material facts, corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the internal revenue laws, and three counts filing a false U.S. individual tax return.

WATCH OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH CORRINE BROWN:

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