Court begins to cull jurors

About 200 Las Vegas Valley residents who filled out questionnaires last week will begin being interviewed by defense lawyers and prosecutors today to determine whether they can be jurors for the Darren Mack murder and attempted murder trial.

This is the second go-around for the lawyers and Clark County District Judge Douglas Herndon, who abandoned the process two weeks ago after determining that finding an unbiased jury pool would be impossible in Reno.

The tab for jetting Mack, witnesses and evidence to the southern end of the state will likely top $100,000 for Washoe County.

Mack, a 46-year-old dark-haired businessman with a long face and muscular shoulders, is charged with fatally stabbing his estranged 39-year-old wife, Charla, on June 12, 2006, and shooting, sniper-style, their divorce judge, Chuck Weller.

Mack became one of the FBI's most wanted fugitives when he was on the run for 11 days after the crimes.

Weller was hit with shrapnel after the bullet splintered as it broke through the window of his third-floor chambers.

He was treated, released and stayed in hiding until Mack was securely behind bars in the Washoe County jail.

Mack was moved to a new cell in the Clark County jail on Tuesday, the same day the prospective jurors visited the Clark County courthouse to page through forms and check off boxes.

"Have you heard, read or seen any media reports regarding this case?" the prospective jurors were asked.

Do you have strong feelings or opinions about Richard Gammick, the form asked. Have you ever filed for or been granted a divorce?

Similar questions asked in Washoe County revealed a community saturated with information on the case and a large number of individuals who had formed an opinion, according to documents attached to the change-of-venue motion.