Rafael Hui, Kwok brothers graft trial set to open after second jury empanelled
Prosecution case set to open today after judge Andrew Macrae laughs off more excuses from potential jurors who do not want to serve
Prosecutors in the corruption trial involving a former No 2 official in the Hong Kong government and two of the city's wealthiest tycoons are expected to open their case today after a second jury was empanelled yesterday.
Selection of the three men and six women to try former chief secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan and four others took six hours - double the time spent in choosing the first jury that was discharged last week.
Once again, Mr Justice Andrew Macrae sprinkled the process with humour as he listened to various excuses from potential jurors who wanted to avoid serving.
In an apparent move to make sure that the trial could get started today, Macrae asked unselected potential jurors to return this morning.
He appeared to be bracing for a repetition of last week's events when a juror was excused for health and work reasons after being sworn in, leading to the discharge of the entire jury.
Hui, 66, faces eight charges related to bribery and misconduct in public office.
Sun Hung Kai Properties co-chairman Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong, 62, faces one charge of conspiracy to offer an advantage to Hui and two counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, 61, also co-chairman, faces four charges, including one with Hui of furnishing false information.