After a long day that saw scores of potential jurors dismissed, a recess was called late Monday afternoon in the trial of prison gang leader Silvestre “Chikali” Mayorqui-Rivera.
Jury selection will resume Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Mayorqui-Rivera is accused of fatally kicking, stomping and beating Manuel “Tati” Torrez, 64, the former head of the Mexican Mafia, at 8:45 a.m. on April 21, 2005, in a caged exercise yard inside the highest security prison in the United States — Administrative Maximum Facility, or ADX, near Florence.
On Monday, there were an estimated 50 potential jurors dismissed over the course of a day that started before 9 a.m. Some of them were released, officials said, because they admitted they could not provide an unbiased opinion in the case.
At one point, the numbers got so low that David Lane, Mayorqui-Rivera’s attorney, speculated on whether the case would be able to continue. However, 13 more jurors were added to the 32 who had survived the lengthy process.
Even so, as some jurors are weeded out for cause and after both sides exercise their pre-emptory challenges, chances are the numbers will grow even tighter.
Mayorqui-Rivera faces life in prison on a charge of first-degree murder. His accomplice Richard “Chuco” Santiago, who recently fired his attorney and is already serving a life prison term for another prison murder, faces the death penalty. The defendants will be tried separately.
Witnesses at the trial include high-ranking national leaders of white supremacist and black prison gangs.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292, acotton@denverpost.com or anthonycottondp
