Nation IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : Jury Selection for Smith Trial Delayed

William Kennedy Smith’s rape trial judge postponed jury selection after a closed-door hearing in West Palm Beach, Fla., on his attorneys’ efforts to use his accuser’s background for his defense. The start of jury selection, originally set for today, was reset for Thursday morning. Circuit Judge Mary Lupo said she will hear more arguments on the issue today, then will hear other pretrial matters, including a motion by Smith’s attorneys to bar televising of jury selection. A Jupiter, Fla., woman alleges that Smith, the nephew of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) raped her March 30.