NORWICH – One hundred and fifty local citizens began filling the Chenango County Courthouse this morning as Broome County Court Judge Martin E. Smith began the process of juror selection for Peter M. Wlasiuk’s murder retrial.

Although officials would not speculate on how long the process may take, Commissioner of Jurors Mary Weidman said for each day of the proceedings, an additional 150 jurors would be called until all 450 in the total prospective pool were exhausted. Weidman said the number represented one of the largest groups ever requested in Chenango County.

The case begins just five days after the New York Appellate Division denied a defense motion to move it to a different county. If the court exhausts the jury pool, the case could be reconsidered for a change of venue.

The appellate division overturned the original murder conviction two years ago on Aug. 31, 2006.