Jury selection continues for Mack murder trial

RENO -- Jury selection in the Darren Mack murder case continued at a snail's pace Tuesday as prospective jurors were questioned individually about media exposure, their views on the judicial process, bias, insanity, self-defense and experiences with divorce.

Questioning of jurors began Monday as Mack's lawyers argued the trial should be moved to Las Vegas because of extensive pretrial publicity.

So far, about a third of the jurors needed for a panel of 35 have been chosen.

District Judge Douglas Herndon said another group of about 50 prospective jurors would be brought in today.

Mack, a former wealthy pawn shop owner, is charged with killing his wife, Charla, in June 2006. Authorities said that after he stabbed her to death in the garage of Mack's town house, he drove to downtown Reno where he shot and wounded Family Court Judge Chuck Weller, who was handling their bitter divorce. The judge recovered.

Mack, 46, surrendered 11 days later in Mexico.

He is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.

About 70 potential jurors were dismissed immediately because their answers suggested preconceived opinions of Mack's guilt or other hardships that would prevent them from serving.

On Tuesday, one man was excused because he believed Mack "is a spoiled rich kid" who can afford the best lawyers to influence justice.

Another woman, who said she could be fair and knew little about the case, was excused because her ex-husband once threatened to press kidnapping charges against her in a child custody dispute.