A jury is due to be sworn in this afternoon to hear the trial of seven men accused of a group attack on a Hamilton Parish man.

It took all morning to pick a panel of 12 people — all women — to hear the trial of Detroy Smith, 24, Kyle Tannock Williams, 28, Damon Darrell, 28, Bennett Phipps, 26, Allan Douglas, 22, Kiawan Trott, 25, and Kiwaun Gilbert, 23.

The men are accused of wounding Temasgan Furbert, 23, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm on February 27, 2009. They’re also accused of causing wilful damage in the night-time of the same date to a home in Midland Heights Road, Hamilton Parish.

Douglas and Trott are further accused of each having a machete in a public place — Midland Heights Road, Hamilton Parish — and Tannock Williams is accused of having a baseball bat as an offensive weapon.

The men, who are all from St. George’s, deny the charges.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves told the 59-strong panel of potential jury members at the beginning of the selection process: “This is a case where the men are accused of attacking in a group the complainant in the case.”

He warned that the trial is expected to last between three and four weeks but could be longer.

Prosecutor Robert Welling read a list of 26 people who may be called as prosecution witnesses, including Police officers, doctors and an emergency medical technician.

He’s expected to deliver his opening speech once the jury has been sworn this afternoon. Read tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette for more.