Mack jury selection advances

Lawyers in the Darren Mack murder trial have wrapped up the first phase of jury selection and are expected to give opening statements today.

The last of 35 potential jurors were approved Tuesday by prosecution and defense attorneys after a week of individual interviews probing possible biases or other issues that might affect a juror's ability to deliberate.

Court officials said the pool is scheduled to be cut today to a panel of 12 jurors and three alternates.

Prosecutors then are expected to open their case against Mack, a Reno man accused of murdering his estranged wife, Charla, and of shooting Chuck Weller, the Washoe County Family Court judge who was handling their divorce.

Mack's trial was moved to Las Vegas from Reno earlier this month after a judge ruled that an impartial jury could not be found.

Weller recovered from his injuries from the shooting.

Mack, 46, is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in the June 2006 attacks; he has pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.