After the pool assembles there will be a roll call and Spencer will ask the potential jurors questions, some likely supplied by lawyers on either or both sides.

Charles E. James Jr., a former assistant U.S. attorney now with Williams Mullen in Richmond, said generally the questions asked are routine ones such as whether the prospective jurors have any biases or if they know the parties involved or the attorneys.

James said he expects the process to take longer in this case because of the large size of the jury pool and the attention surrounding the case.

He said Spencer may ask the prospective jurors if they have strong feelings for or against the government or for or against the defendants such that they could not listen to the evidence and render an impartial verdict.

Jurors will answer many questions from their seats. If a response requires more questions, the juror may come up to Spencer’s bench with the lawyers to answer privately so as not to cause discomfort.

James said many of the potential jurors will have read, heard or seen media coverage of the allegations, and the jury selection process is going to require a few more follow-up questions than normal.