Large jury pool planned for Ohio mayor’s trial

FILE – In this Feb. 19, 2016, file photo, Hillsboro, Ohio, Mayor Drew Hastings, who is a veteran standup comedian, pauses during an interview at his office in Hillsboro, Ohio. A final pretrial hearing is planned Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, for Hastings, whose trial on four felony counts alleging misconduct in office is scheduled to begin Nov. 7. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) — An expanded jury pool will be called for the trial of the mayor of a small Ohio city who’s also a veteran standup comedian.

Attorneys said after a hearing Wednesday that the judge ordered a pool of 100 potential jurors, about double the usual number. Officials anticipate taking extra time to find jurors who haven’t already formed their opinions on Drew Hastings’ case.

A trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 7 before retired Summit County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove, appointed after a local judge recused himself.

Hastings was indicted in July on four felony counts including election falsification and theft in office.

The second-term Republican mayor says he’s done nothing wrong other than try to lead the city without the consent of the “established political structure.”