Allen attorney doubts he can seat impartial jury on sex charges

TITUSVILLE, - State Rep. Bob Allen's attorney doubts an impartial jury can be seated when the lawmaker's sex solicitation trial starts Monday.

But defense attorney Greg Eisenmenger said he won't try to move the proceedings outside of Brevard County because of the national attention the case has received.

"I can't think of a place in Florida that hasn't been affected," he said.

Allen was arrested in July and charged with soliciting prostitution, a second-degree misdemeanor. Police said the Merritt Island Republican agreed to pay $20 to perform oral sex on an undercover police officer in a men's restroom at a public park. He faces up to a year in jail and a $500 fine if convicted.

Allen has steadfastly maintained his innocence and is still serving in the Legislature, though he has been removed from the Energy Committee, which he had chaired, and the Environment and Natural Resources Council.

Judge Oscar Hotusing has not yet ruled on a defense request to question potential jurors separately.

[Last modified November 4, 2007, 23:49:33]