Proceedings resume at the Alex #Salmond trial in Edinburgh
The jury now being selected, names are drawn from a glass bowl with those selected from the pool in court asked to enter the jury box.
#Salmond
#Salmond
(In a Scottish criminal trial there are 15 jurors, not the 12 you get in an English case)
Provisional jury, we think, is 9 women and 6 men.
(This could change after the indictment is read and they have an option to give the judge reasons they should not sit)
#Salmond
(This could change after the indictment is read and they have an option to give the judge reasons they should not sit)
#Salmond
The clerk of the court is now reading out the charges, not going to report this fully as contains the names of alleged victims of sexual assault.
#Salmond
#Salmond
In summary, #Salmond is accused of 10 sexual assault charges, 2 of indecent assault and 2 accusations of attempted rape.
The dates of the charges range from 2008 to 2014.
#Salmond
#Salmond
Court hears that Salmond has lodged the special defence of "consent," on a number of the charges, and the defence of "alibi," on another.
He pleads not guilty to all.
He pleads not guilty to all.
Jury all agree to take the oath, it is given and they all swear to "give a true verdict according to the evidence."
Judge now addressing them.
#Salmond
Judge now addressing them.
#Salmond
Judge gives the jury a short adjournment, asks them to consider if they know the accused or the witnesses, or have any special knowledge of the case, or if there is any reason they could not be impartial.
"Be guided by your conscience," she says
#Salmond
"Be guided by your conscience," she says
#Salmond
Court adjourns
