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Jury selection in Ataligs’ trial enters 3rd day
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Posted on Aug 13 2020
The jury selection in the trial in federal court of Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig and his girlfriend, Evelyn Atalig, enter its third day today, Thursday.
The continuation of the jury selection ended yesterday at about 4:20pm; jury selection today will start at 8am.
There were 16 potential jurors present from one panel. The courtroom deputy reported that out of 32 summoned prospective jurors, nine have been excused by the court. Seven prospective jurors did not appear. U. S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona directed the U.S. Marshal to require the absent ones to appear before the court on Sept. 1 at 3:30pm.
According to the minutes of the trial, 47 potential jurors appeared at the first day of jury selection last Tuesday.
The charges against Efraim and Evelyn Atalig involve at least eight trips taken by the couple at different times in 2018 to Guam, Palau, the U.S. mainland, South Korea, and Saipan.
The Ataligs are being charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft from program receiving federal funds, wire fraud, and theft from program receiving federal funds. Both are also charged separately with false statement.
