State Supreme Court OK's Grand Jury

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new multi-county grand jury will be convened to investigate crimes across Oklahoma.<br/><br/>The state Supreme Court on Tuesday authorized the secret panel in a six-page order.

Wednesday, January 10th 2007, 6:08 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new multi-county grand jury will be convened to investigate crimes across Oklahoma.

The state Supreme Court on Tuesday authorized the secret panel in a six-page order. Oklahoma County District Judge Noma Gurich will be the grand jury's presiding judge and she will select 12 jurors and three alternates.

Last week, Oklahoma County Special District Judge Roma McElwee dismissed criminal cases involving a failed Hinton cocoa plant, ruling the multi-county grand jury had operated unconstitutionally by allowing alternates to hear testimony.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson [pictured] is appealing the ruling.

The new grand jury will meet periodically over 18 months.