Jury selection began Wednesday in the trial of a man who claims to have multiple personalities, and says he’s therefore not responsible for kidnapping and indecent liberties in 1994.
William Bergen Greene, 49, is accused of attacking his therapist in Everett.
The case has attracted national attention because of his multiple-personality defense, and because Greene’s victim sided with him.
Jury selection is expected to last several days, and lawyers probably won’t make opening statements until next week.
On Wednesday, 117 jurors were summoned to form a panel of 15 who will judge the case. They were asked to fill out a questionnaire, and lawyers will begin questioning them individually today. The trial in Superior Court Judge Richard Thorpe’s court is expected to last between four and six weeks.
This is the second trial for Greene, who last year finally won a federal court appeal because jurors in 1995 didn’t hear evidence about multiple personalities. This jury is expected to see a parade of expert witnesses, from both sides, who will testify about multiple personalities.
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