Lay Seeks Separate Juries for Two Trials

Former Enron Corp. Chairman Kenneth L. Lay asked a federal judge not to use the same jury to try him on two sets of criminal charges related to the former energy trader’s collapse.

Lay told the judge in court papers that he wanted his second trial to occur in front of a new jury two months after the first trial.

Lay is charged with seven counts of fraud and conspiracy in connection with what prosecutors claim were schemes including off-the-books partnerships that let Enron artificially boost revenue and mislead investors.

Lay faces four bank fraud charges related to his personal Enron stock holdings.

U.S. District Judge Sim Lake in Houston suggested Feb. 24 trying Lay’s bank fraud charges without a jury or asking the jury that heard the first case to stay for the second one.