Judge Suspends Alabama Gambling Corruption Trial

A federal judge has temporarily suspended jury selection in Alabama's gambling corruption trial.

Jury selection was supposed to begin Monday morning at the federal courthouse in Montgomery, but one of the seven defendants, former legislative employee Ray Crosby, died Sunday.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson issued an order Monday morning temporarily suspending jury selection. His order does not say when it will begin.

Montgomery County Coroner David Thrasher confirmed Crosby's death, but would not release additional information and said only that the investigation is continuing.

In addition to Crosby, the second trial was to involve casino owner Milton McGregor, state Sen. Harri Anne Smith, former Sens. Larry Means and Jim Preuitt, and two others. All were facing bribery charges and six of the seven faced conspiracy charges.