Jury selection began Monday for the trial of suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeff Thomas who is accused of sexually assaulting a Windber woman in her home in September of 2021.
The court must select 12 jurors plus 4 additional alternates ahead of the March trial.
96 people were in the courtroom Monday to be screened as potential jurors, and so far, court officials selected ten individuals.
Judge Creany, from Cambria County, was asked by the state Supreme Court to handle the case, which he says has “garnered notoriety” due to Thomas’ position as district attorney at the time of the alleged incident.
The trial is set to begin on Wednesday, March 8th, which is about two months away.
Typically, trials begin shortly after the jury is selected.
Judge Creany says that date was pushed back because they need to “obtain documents” that are necessary for the trial.
The jury selection process will continue on Tuesday.