Oregon Standoff Trial: A Jury Is In Place and Opening Arguments Will Be Tuesday

A jury is in place to hear the case against seven people charged in connection with the 41-day armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Opening arguments are expected to be Tuesday morning.

The jury - 12 jurors plus eight alternates - was picked after three days in which nearly 100 people were questioned. Most of the jurors are white.

Potential jurors were quizzed by Federal Judge Anna Brown about a variety of topics including whether they have any connection to the Church of Latter Day Saints - several of the defendants are Mormon - and about their views on the First and Second Amendments.

Eight men and four women make up the jury.

Several of the jurors said they knew little to nothing of the case. One woman from Hood River said she "lives in a world of art." Another woman said she works at Boeing and is excited to be on the juror, saying it is her civic duty.

A mom from Eugene - she is a Mormon - said she has four kids and thinks her being on jury duty for more than two months may result in her kids appreciating her more.

Over the course of the three days, several potential jurors were dismissed for hardship.

One woman has a sister with cancer. One woman needs to care for her ailing mother. Another possible juror said he is the sole provider for his family of seven.

The trial is expected to last nine weeks.

This story will be updated