Jury selection starts in Winona trial

After many months of delays, scheduling conflicts, and legal maneuverings, Winona Ryder’s shoplifting trial began Thursday in Beverly Hills. Some 10 months after the ”Mr. Deeds” star allegedly boosted thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a Saks Fifth Avenue store, she sat in the courtroom, silently taking notes, as jury selection began, the Associated Press reports.

Judge Elden S. Fox advised potential jurors that the trial was expected to last five to seven days and warned them to avoid media accounts of the trial in newspapers, TV, and radio. Jury selection is expected to continue on Friday, and Judge Fox said that presentation of evidence could begin as soon as Monday, AP reports.

Ryder, who turns 31 on Tuesday, has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of grand theft, second-degree burglary, and vandalism. She faces three years in prison if convicted.