Jury selection began Monday in the second trial of former Vermont Republican Senator Norman McAllister on charges that he tried to extract sexual favors from a woman in exchange for rent.
The 65-year-old McAllister has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault and two counts of prohibited acts.
The trial is scheduled to start Tuesday.
McAllister, of Highgate Springs, agreed to plead guilty to charges on the eve of his second trial in January. The next day, he asked to withdraw the plea, saying he'd been pushed into it by his attorneys.
Charges were dismissed against McAllister in a sexual-assault trial involving a different accuser who lied last year. McAllister, whose colleagues voted to suspend him after his arrest, has maintained his innocence.
Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
