Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Aug 27/01) - The trial of a Fort Smith man accused of 14 counts of assault began Aug. 20 in Supreme Court here and is expected to run until Wednesday.

Gordon Gerrard Moreau faces eight counts of common assault, three counts of assault causing bodily harm and three counts of sexual assault.

Jury selection began last Monday. Because the accused and complainants are so well known in the community, the pool of prospective jurors had to be expanded.

With only 10 jurors selected, the sheriff sought out another 20 citizens from community shops and government offices to select a jury panel from.

The jury of seven women and five men will sift through evidence dating back to June 11, 1982 and hear testimony from 20 witnesses.

The charges are -alleged to have taken place against seven complainants -- one who is now deceased -- over a 14-year span. The court has allowed eight days for the trial.

Justice Virginia Schuler is hearing the case, which is being prosecuted by Crown Attorneys Loretta Colton and Carolyn Carrasco. Defence lawyer Stephen Shabala represents Moreau.