The trial that could define the future of the Whitewater investigation in this presidential election season began today with the questioning of 56 potential jurors. President Clinton has been subpoenaed to testify in the federal fraud and conspiracy trial of Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker and the Clinton's Whitewater partners, James McDougal and his ex-wife, Susan McDougal. Clinton may or may not testify in person. James McDougal, who was acquitted of similar charges in 1990, appeared confident. It's the same courtroom, the same judge.
Lawyers expect jury selection to take most of the first week.
The trial is expected to last six to eight weeks. The primary job of Whitewater Prosecutor Kenneth Starr is to investigate the involvement of Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton in Whitewater, the land development in northern Arkansas. Tucker succeeded Clinton as governor. The Clintons maintain they were passive investors in Whitewater, a land deal that never made money, and had no irregular dealings with the McDougals' savings and loan. If found guilty, Tucker could be banished from the governor's office, and that would fuel Clinton's political opponents who claim the president was more involved in the dealings than he's been willing to admit.