Sunday, October 27, 2002 Posted: 10:26 PM EST (0326 GMT)
BEVERLY HILLS, California (AP) -- A jury made up of several members of the entertainment industry, including former Sony Entertainment Pictures Chairman Peter Guber, was sworn in Friday to judge actress Winona Ryder on shoplifting charges.
Lawyers on both sides accepted the eight-woman, four-man panel after questioning whether their occupations might prevent them from being fair.
Defense attorney Mark Geragos asked them whether the fact Ryder is "pretty and rich" would prejudice her in their eyes. No one answered affirmatively.
Addressing the former Sony executive, he said: "Mr. Guber, you're not afraid of working in this town again if you get on this case, are you?"
There was laughter in the courtroom as Guber answered, "No."
Other jurors included a legal secretary who works at Sony Studios, a man who is involved in program development for television and a doctor the judge said he knew from the local Rotary Club.
As the panelists were quizzed, Ryder sat beside Geragos, taking notes and studying each one.
The 30-year-old actress was arrested last December at a Saks Fifth Avenue store for allegedly stealing nearly $5,000 worth of designer merchandise, including hats, handbags, tops and hair accessories. She could face up to three years in prison if convicted of three felony counts of grand theft, second-degree burglary and vandalism.
Superior Court Judge Elden Fox asked the prospective jurors whether they shopped at Saks Fifth Avenue and were familiar with the store's layout. Five panelists said they shop at Saks.
The jurors are required to stay out of Saks Fifth Avenue until the trial is over.
"I am sure they won't appreciate that, but it's only five to seven days," Fox said. Opening statements are to begin Monday.
"Quite a few of you are in the entertainment industry," prosecutor Ann Rundle told the panel. "Do you think at any point in the future you might hope to work with Ms. Ryder?"
All shook their heads no.
Guber was chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment for five years until resigning in 1994 to become an independent producer. During his tenure, Sony released the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola thriller "Dracula," in which Ryder appeared.
Ryder has appeared in more than two dozen movies, including "Mr. Deeds," "Alien Resurrection," "Reality Bites" and "Edward Scissorhands."