Jury Selection Finishing At Major Chicago Street-Gang Trial

CHICAGO (AP) -- Jury selection is winding down at a much-anticipated trial of six purported members of Chicago's notorious Hobos street gang blamed for outbreaks of deadly gun violence for over a decade.

A U.S. judge told prospective panelists Thursday that the already three-day process of picking 12 jurors would likely spill into Friday.

Heavy security surrounds the Chicago trial. Spectators must go through metal detectors entering the courtroom. And jurors' names will be sealed to guard against intimidation.

The defendants include alleged gang leader Gregory "Bowlegs" Chester. Another is accused gang hitman Paris Poe.

Prosecutors say nine murders underpinned the defendants' racketeering conspiracy and that their victims included two government informants. All the defendants have pleaded not guilty.

Getting through all the scheduled testimony is expected to take up to three months.