Jurors Seated for Carruth Trial

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) â€” Four jurors were seated Tuesday for the Rae Carruth murder trial, bringing the total number on the panel to nine â€” five men and four women. <br><br>One of the men selected Tuesday

Wednesday, November 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) â€” Four jurors were seated Tuesday for the Rae Carruth murder trial, bringing the total number on the panel to nine â€” five men and four women.

One of the men selected Tuesday is a former criminal defense attorney who admitted he knew many of the potential witnesses but said it wouldn't distract him in evaluating testimony and evidence.

Attorneys expect it could take the rest of the week to select three additional jurors and four alternates.

The four jurors were added Tuesday after defense attorneys filed a motion complaining about the racial makeup of the jury pool. The judge denied the motion.

Seven whites and two blacks have been selected for the jury. All four jurors chosen Tuesday are white.

Carruth, 26, is black.

Carruth, a former wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cherica Adams, 24. She was seven months pregnant with his child when she was shot Nov. 16 as she sat in her car. She died a month later, but the baby survived.

If convicted, Carruth, who is charged with masterminding a plot to kill Adams, could be sentenced to death.