Earlier this week in Richmond County Superior Court, prosecuting and defense attorneys questioned more than 150 potential jurors in a group, and then questioned each individually about knowledge of the case against Ronald Coleman Jr., 29; Carlston W. Coleman, 30; Laverne Ellis, 29; Kendric Dudley, 30; Ronnie B. Overton Jr., 22; Jarman L. Harold, 24; and Charles D. Winters, 28.

A jury of 12 residents and eight alternates will be selected, and they will return Monday morning to begin hearing evidence in the case. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

Each of the defendants has pleaded innocent to the charges. The indictment accuses each of violating the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization law, alleging that each played at least one role in a criminal enterprise that spanned a four-year period.

Only Ronald Coleman and Carlston Coleman, who are not related, are accused in the June 21, 1998, robbery and abduction of Mr. Holt, 45. Because Mr. Holt was killed when he was locked in the trunk of a burning car in Aiken County, homicide charges cannot be filed in Richmond County Superior Court.

All of the defendants except Ms. Ellis are accused of taking part in the crimes leading to the July 24, 1997, slayings of Ryan J. Singh, 21, and Manuel B. Arroyo, 19. Their remains were found in a burning car in rural Warren County, about 35 miles west of Augusta. Each had been killed by a gunshot to the head. Because they, too, were killed outside Augusta, homicide charges cannot be filed in Richmond County Superior Court.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or shodson@augustachronicle.com.