Jury Will Hear Lewis Statement

December 6, 1999 / 6:37 PM EST / CBS/AP

The judge in the Ray Lewis murder trial has ruled that a statement the star linebacker gave police hours after the two killings is admissible in court.

In the statement, Lewis denied to police that he participated in the killings. But he named only two occupants of his limo, which sped away from an Atlanta nightclub after the stabbing deaths.

He also did not name either of his two co-defendants to police.

Lewis' attorneys say police coerced him into making the statement.

Judge Alice D. Bonner ruled today that Lewis' statement was "freely and voluntarily give" and therefore admissible in court.

A jury of 10 blacks and two whites was chosen earlier Monday for the trial.

The jury has nine black women, one black man and one white woman and man.

Lewis, one of the NFL's top linebackers, and co-defendants Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting are charged in the Jan. 31 stabbing deaths of Jacinth "Shorty" Baker and Richard Lollar during a brawl after a party following the Super Bowl.

All three could be sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors contend the defendants chased down Baker and Lollar, and started fighting with them after an argument at the Cobalt Lounge. Lawyers for Lewis have said the player didn't stab anyone and acted as a peacemaker.

Even if Lewis didn't actually stab anyone, he can be convicted of murder if the prosecution can convince the jury Lewis participated in the brawl that led to the two deaths.

Prosecutors during the weekend secured the testimony of Rehana Grant, one of the women riding in Lewis' limousine the night of the killings.

Grant has been given immunity in exchange for her testimony, according to her lawyer, Cynthia Roseberry. Grant is the third person in the limo to get immunity.

Also, forensic DNA expert Henry Lee, who worked for O.J. Simpson's defense team, is now listed as a prosecution witness.

Opening statements in the trial are scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday.