Jury selection continues in Mack murder trial

Jury selection continued for a fourth day Thursday in Las Vegas in the murder trial of a Reno man accused of stabbing to death his estranged wife and shooting the judge who handled their divorce.

Another five possible jurors passed through a round of questioning by defense and prosecution lawyers, who are seeking to weed out jurors with knowledge or biases in the Darren Mack case.

Mack, a 46-year-old pawn shop owner, is charged with murder in the stabbing death of his wife, Charla, and attempted murder in the shooting of Family Court Judge Chuck Weller. Weller was shot sniper-style while in his chambers at a downtown Reno courthouse. He has since recovered.

The June 2006 incident sparked intense media coverage and national attention. The selection of the jury in Reno was cut short after Judge Douglas Herndon ruled he did not believe the defense could find an impartial jury.

The case was moved to Las Vegas, and lawyers have had an easier time finding potential jurors who have not read or heard extensive media reports of the case.

Most potential jurors interviewed by lawyers have said they know little about the case.

Mack pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to the charges. He has not been forced to specify which plea applies to which charge.

Defense lawyers have focused their interviews with potential jurors on opinions on self-defense, mental illness and the "swinging lifestyle."

Charla Mack had accused her husband of taking frequent vacations with girlfriends and often attended "swinger" parties, according to court documents filed in their divorce.

The defense lawyers have asked jurors whether they believe a man could be forced to act in self-defense against a woman.

Jury selection is expected to continue into next week.