Workman trial to start today

After a 6 1/2-hour jury selection process Tuesday, the stage is set for today's start of former Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman's trial.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Workman said. "I'd like to get it cleared up and go get a job."

Depending on the trial's outcome, however, Workman may not be able to get a job for a while — her second- and third-degree felony charges of misuse of public money carry a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.

Workman's fate is in the hands of eight jurors (and two alternates) who were selected from a pool of 60 randomly selected county residents Tuesday.

After having them fill out detailed questionnaires, 3rd District Court Judge Judith Atherton — and prosecution and defense attorneys — interviewed 44 of the 60 potential jurors, dismissing the rest. Many of those 44 were then excused or dismissed "for cause" — because they had ties to the case, had formed strong opinions as to Workman's guilt or other reasons.

Attorneys for both sides then exercised "peremptory challenges" (removal of potential jurors without having to state a reason) to reduce the jury to its final form.

Workman attorneys Greg Skordas and Jack Morgan may have an uphill battle on their hands. Of all the potential jurors who said they had an opinion as to Workman's guilt or innocence, not a single one said he thought she was innocent.

"I don't see how you can be charged and still be innocent," one said.

"I think she's guilty," said another.

"It seems unethical," said another. "You have to really be careful about these things."

Atherton found herself repeatedly explaining a defendant's presumption of innocence until proven guilty.

"So many of them had this feeling that you're guilty until proven innocent," Workman said. "(But) it was very interesting. People were honest, and I respect that."

Prosecutors Mike Martinez and Jeff Hall will attempt to prove that Workman's hiring of two employees to work at the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Valley from June 2003 to June 2004 — under the supervision of her daughter, Aisza Wilde — was illegal.