Jury Chosen for Chmura Trial

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) â€” A jury of five women and nine men was selected Wednesday for the sexual assault trial of former Green Bay Packers star Mark Chmura. <br><br>He is charged with sexually assaulting

Thursday, January 25th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) â€” A jury of five women and nine men was selected Wednesday for the sexual assault trial of former Green Bay Packers star Mark Chmura.

He is charged with sexually assaulting his children's 17-year-old former babysitter during a drunken prom party. The 31-year-old player could get up to 40 years in prison if convicted.

Chmura has pleaded innocent to felony charges of third-degree sexual assault and child enticement.

Opening statements are set for Thursday at the Waukesha County Courthouse.

Chmura lawyer Gerald Boyle requested the jury be drawn from outside the county to minimized publicity he described as more intense than for the Jeffrey Dahmer trial. Boyle defended the Milwaukee serial killer.

Judge Mark Gempeler is expected to rule Thursday on a defense request not to allow as evidence a revised statement by witness Mike Kleber.

Kleber first told police he saw the girl go into the bathroom with a smile on her face. He later changed his statement to say he didn't remember much about the party. Boyle contends District Attorney Paul Bucher coerced Kleber into changing his story.

Boyle also asked Gempeler on Wednesday to lift a gag order imposed in November. Gempeler refused, saying the order has served the case well.

The party occurred at the Hartland home of Chmura's friend, Robert Gessert. He is accused of fondling an 18-year-old woman at the party.

He has pleaded innocent to sexual assault charges. His trial is to begin March 13. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.