Jury seated in sex-abuse trial of former Custer County sheriff

FAIRVIEW -- A jury of seven women and five men was seated today as the sex-abuse trial of former Custer County Sheriff Mike Burgess got under way. Burgess, 56, is charged with 36 felony counts of sexually abusing female jail and inmates and drug court participants under his charge.

Former Custer County Sheriff Mike Burgess, right, is checked through security by Custer County Deputy Sheriff Larry Cornelsen, left, as he enters the courthouse in Arapaho, Okla. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. Burgess, 55, faces 35 felony charges, including 14 counts of second-degree rape, seven counts of forcible oral sodomy and five counts of bribery by a public official. (AP Photo)

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The trial was moved to Major County by Major County Associate District Judge N. Vinson Bearfoot, who cited intense media coverage. Opening statements are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Burgess, 56, is accused of using his authority to force female inmates and drug court participants to perform a variety of sexual acts on him between October 2005 and April 2007. Burgess had been Custer County sheriff since 1994. He resigned in April, shortly before his arrest.

Six women have accused Burgess of abuse in a case that has received national attention. A court clerk said CNN and Fox News were among the media outlets that called her today.

The case is being prosecuted by special prosecutor James Boring, who is district attorney in Woodward.

Steve Huddleston of Oklahoma City is defense attorney.

A panel of 200 jurors was called, but about half were exempted before questioning began about 8 a.m. today.

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