Dixon Arrives At Courthouse; Jury Selection To Begin
BALTIMORE — Ten months after she was indicted, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has entered a courtroom — about a block from City Hall — as a criminal defendant.
Jury selection in the trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon is scheduled to start Monday. Dixon is accused of stealing gift cards that were donated to the city for distribution to families in need.
If convicted, Dixon could be removed from office.
Dixon arrived at courthouse East shortly before 9:25 a.m. When asked by 11 News reporter Jennifer Franciotti if she had anything to say, Dixon didn’t respond. Franciotti asked Dixon how she felt, and Dixon replied “feel good.” Dixon was flanked by members of her executive detail. (Video Of Dixon’s Arrival)
The trial is on seven charges related to allegations that Dixon used the donated gift cards to buy clothing, electronics and other items for herself and her family.
State investigators seized gift cards and other items from Dixon’s home last year. The items are expected to be entered as evidence.
The charges against Dixon include two counts of felony theft, one count of theft, three counts of fraudulent misappropriation by a public official, and one count of misconduct in office.
Watch video analysis of Mayor Shiela Dixon’s case.
In the last few weeks, Dixon has said that she is looking forward to the trial and clearing her name.
She has continued to make public appearances, including several appearances over the weekend.
“I think I have done an extraordinary job in focusing on the business of the city, because that’s what the people elected me to do,” Dixon told WBAL-TV Friday night in an interview conducted as she left her lawyer’s office.
Jury selection is likely to stretch into Tuesday, with attorneys unlikely to find potential jurors who haven’t heard something about the case.
Prosecutors have filed a motion asking for permission to call the same witnesses to the stand multiple times because of the complexity of their case. Dixon’s attorneys, meanwhile, want to introduce evidence of her accomplishments while in office.
WBAL-TV 11’s Jayne Miller and David Collins are among our reporters at the courthouse. Watch their live reports at noon, 5 and 6 p.m.
Watch video analysis of Mayor Shiela Dixon’s case.
Source: wbaltv.com
