LOS ANGELES : Denny Beating Case Jury May Be Impaneled Today

Defense attorneys in the Reginald O. Denny beating trial said Wednesday that a 12-member jury could be impaneled as early as today, and the task of seating six alternate jurors could begin early next week.

Prosecutors exhausted their peremptory challenges, which allow them to remove jurors without stating a cause. They will only be granted additional challenges if the defense uses its remaining four and decides to use any of its 10 supplemental challenges.

Prosecutors removed five jurors Wednesday--the fourth day of jury selection--while the defense challenged two. Superior Court Judge John W. Ouderkirk excused four others for cause.

The panel will decide the fate of Damian Monroe Williams, 21, and Henry Keith Watson, 28, who are charged with multiple felonies stemming from attacks on Denny and others at Florence and Normandie avenues as rioting broke out last year.