Jury selection in Chelsa Wagner's Detroit trial delayed due to weather

The first day of jury selection for Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner’s trial in Detroit wrapped up at about 11 a.m. because wintry weather preventing many prospective jurors from showing up Tuesday.

Wagner faces charges connected to a March 6 confrontation with police and hotel staff..

Detroit News reporter George Hunter was in the courtroom and live-tweeted the proceedings.

In the Wagner case, they ran out of potential jurors, because many pool members didn't show up due to the weather. Judge asked them, with apologies, to return Thursday. Then, he says, the trial likely will wrap up Monday.

— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 12, 2019

Wayne County Judge Dalton Roberson apoligized to the jurors who showed up and asked them to return Wednesday morning as the case continues. The delay means the trial likely won’t wrap up until Monday, Roberson said.

In court awaiting the start of the trial of the Pitt.-area official accused of obstructing cops during a confrontation in a Detroit hotel in March:https://t.co/411QT9qSCW

— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 12, 2019

Wagner, 42, of North Point Breeze is facing charges of resisting and obstructing the police, a felony, and disorderly conduct stemming from the incident.

A last-minute plea deal from prosecutors to a charge of disturbing the peace was rejected by Wagner, according to Hunter.

In Chelsa Wagner case, prosecutors offered a plea deal: If she pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace, she'd have no probation offer. She rejected the plea, and looks like we're proceeding to trial.

— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 12, 2019

Wagner said last week she is looking forward to the trial and expects to be vindicated.

The defense will not be able to note that Wagner’s husband, Khari Mosley, was acquitted in July on charges of disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace stemming from the same incident.

Prosecutors are allowed to note that Wagner appeared to be drunk during the incident, Roberson ruled.

Judge Dalton Roberson denied defense motion, and said prosecutors can tell the jury Wagner was drunk, but the defense may cross-examine any witnesses who say that.

— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 12, 2019

Judge Roberson said he expects the Wagner trial to be wrapped up by Thursday, and asked if any of the potential jurors had an airline ticket for Thursday. One woman who said she does have a flight planned Thursday was excused.

— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 12, 2019

The prosecution’s witness list includes a 911 dispatcher, several Detroit police officers and detectives, Mosley and hotel staff. Mosley is the only defense witness. None of the potential jurors have said they recognized the names, according to Hunter.

The prosecution’s witness list includes a 911 dispatcher, several Detroit police officers and detectives, Wagner’s husband, Mosely, and hotel staff. Mosely is the only defense witness. None of the potential jurors said they recognized the names.

— George Hunter (@GeorgeHunter_DN) November 12, 2019