The judge presiding over the racketeering trial of Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill said he expects opening statements to be Thursday morning instead of Wednesday afternoon.
Five more jurors still need to be qualified before attorneys can begin selecting 12 jurors and two alternates.
Even so, jury selection has gone quicker than expected.
The court and attorneys had thought it could take up to a week to seat a jury because of the publicity Hill attracted during his first term in office and since he was indicted in January 2012. Jury summons were sent to 350 Clayton residents with the expectation it would be difficult to find prospective jurors who either are unfamiliar with the popular sheriff and former legislator or who could judge him only based on evidence presented in court despite what they know of his controversial past or of the pending 28 felony charges.
Hill is accused of racketeering, theft by taking, influencing a witness and violation of his oath of office stemming from his first term in office, Jan. 1, 2005, through Dec. 31, 2008. Prosecutors say he used county cars and credit cards for vacations, some out of state. They also say a subordinate traveled with him that he placed on paid administrative leave or out of work because of illness so she would continue to get her Sheriff’s Office salary while vacationing with the sheriff. Other theft charges are that Hill, 48, had another employee work on his biography during regular work hours.
Hill has said he is not guilty and the charges are the result of an investigation started by the then-sitting sheriff after Hill announced he would run to reclaim the office he lost in 2008 to Kem Kimbrough. Hill defeated Kimbrough in last year’s election even though he was under indictment.
So far 31 prospective jurors have been qualified. Thirty six are needed before attorneys select 12 jurors and two alternates.
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