Jury selection slated to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Before jury selection even began Monday in the trial of former Albert Lea City Manager Jim Norman, lawyers on both sides of the case argued a series of motions regarding the procedures and questioning that could take place during the trial.

Norman’s lawyer, Peggy Rockow of Albert Lea, requested that witnesses testifying in the case not be allowed to talk to others — including other witnesses — about their testimony until after the end of the trial.

There was also discussion about whether witnesses should be sequestered.

Prosecutor Brenda Miller with the Waseca County Attorney’s Office, who is handling the case for Freeborn County, asked that Waseca police detective Angie Grotberg not be included in that sequestration and be allowed to assist her during the course of the trial as she was the lead investigator in the case.

Rockow argued that Grotberg is a critical witness who not only interviewed Norman but many of the other key witnesses in the case. She said she did not like that Grotberg could hear the testimony of other witnesses prior to her own testimony.

Mower County District Court Judge Fred Wellmann, who is presiding over the case because of a conflict with Freeborn County’s judges, said he would review the matter and let the lawyers know his decision before jury selection begins.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.

Norman, 57, faces eight charges, including permitting false claims against government, theft with the intent to exercise temporary control and misconduct by a public officer.

He is accused of misusing the city-issued credit card for about $2,300 in personal purchases. He was reported to authorities by former Albert Lea Finance Director Rhonda Moen.

Also discussed Monday morning was whether Rockow would be able to make any arguments that her client was selectively prosecuted after a previous order by Wellmann stated Norman was not selectively prosecuted. Wellmann reemphasized that she would not be able to.

Miller also motioned that any other alleged misuse of the city credit card by other employees not be allowed to be explored during the trial.

Rockow ordered against this motion as well.

She stated on several occasions that she was planning to argue that her client did not commit a crime.

Norman’s trial is slated to last all week.