Alternate Juror Selected In Mike Peterson Trial

DURHAM, N.C. — A retired Navy man who worked a second 19-year career as a Durham bus driver has been named the first alternate juror for Mike Peterson's murder trial.

The 70-year-old potential alternate was accepted Friday morning by defense lawyer David Rudolf. Prosecutors accepted him Thursday.

Three people were dismissed for cause. One knew District Attorney Jim Hardin and helped with his campaign and knew Peterson. Another said Peterson was guilty. The third one, a single mother of three, said her employer refused to pay her for jury duty.

Judge Orlando Hudson said in court that it was time North Carolina caught up with other states in requiring employers to pay employees for jury duty. North Carolina law only requires businesses to hold an employee's position if they are called up for jury duty.

The judge also postponed a hearing on defense attorneys' allegations that two police detectives may have lied about a leak of sensitive information.