Judge says Shepherd jury will be unbiased

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A federal judge said Wednesday he would make sure jurors in the upcoming trial of a Louisiana state senator are carefully questioned about any potential bias.

U.S. District Judge Michael Magner assured lawyers for state Sen. Derrick Shepherd, D-Marrero, that he would take steps to ensure that the jury would be impartial despite the media coverage the case has received in New Orleans.

Magner also agreed with prosecutors who said at Wednesday's hearing that Shepherd himself was stirring up some of the publicity, The Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans said.

Shepherd faces trial in October on fraud and conspiracy charges.