Court officers led Rice and approximately 100 other prospective jurors down a court hallway lined with reporters Friday morning as the jury pool is winnowed down to a dozen who will decide Murray's fate.
Rice, who heads the advocacy group the Advancement Project, has criticized Los Angeles Police Department policies and filed class-action lawsuits alleging police brutality and racial and sexual discrimination. But in recent years, she has advised the mayor on police issues, worked with the department on gang prevention and was a vocal supporter of Charlie Beck’s promotion to police chief.
The LAPD was the lead agency in the investigation of Jackson’s death.
More than 80 news outlets from around the world have applied to cover the trial, a number that eclipsed the previous record of 52 for the Chris Brown domestic violence case.
To get a coveted seat in the courtroom for jury selection, a throng of reporters and citizens participated in a lottery at the front door of the courthouse Friday morning. At one point, nine sheriff's officers guarded the entrance to Judge Michael Pastor's courtroom.
Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter and administering a lethal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol. Murray has pleaded not guilty. The jury is expected to hear about five weeks of testimony.
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-- Harriet Ryan and Victoria Kim at Los Angeles Hall of Justice
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