Potential jurors in Ga. salmonella trial told case may last more than 2 months

The trial of three people charged in a deadly salmonella outbreak linked to a Georgia peanut plant could keep jurors tied up at least two months.

U.S. District Court Judge W. Louis Sands told several dozen people called in for jury selection Wednesday that prosecutors alone may need eight weeks to present evidence. Asked if prolonged service would be a hardship, 20 people stood up and were questioned privately by the judge and attorneys.

Former Peanut Corporation of America owner Stewart Parnell, his brother and food broker, Michael Parnell, and the peanut plant's quality control manager, Mary Wilkerson, are charged with shipping tainted peanuts and covering up lab results showing nuts tested positive for salmonella.

Nine people died and more than 700 were sickened in the outbreak five years ago.