ABOVE & BEYOUND » walcott is available for Saturdays home match ag

NEW ORLEANS -- Questions to potential jurors Monday in the Will Smith shooting death trial make clear that Louisianas stand your ground law will be at issue when testimony begins.Potential jurors in the trial of the man charged with second-degree murder in the death of the former New Orleans Saints star were asked about their attitudes on lethal self-defense. They also were asked whether they can put aside opinions formed amid intense media coverage of Smiths death and how Smiths popularity might affect a verdict.Smith was a star on the 2006 Saints team that helped lift the stricken citys spirits with a winning season after Hurricane Katrina. He played with the team when it won the franchises only Super Bowl three seasons later. He was shot to death April 9 during a confrontation following a vehicle crash.Charged in his death is a 29-year-old former semiprofessional football player named Cardell Hayes. The owner of a tow-truck company and the father of a 5-year-old son, Hayes is described by friends as soft-spoken and even-tempered -- hardly the type to erupt into a lethal road rage. His attorney has been laying the groundwork for a self-defense argument, saying Smith was the aggressor.Jury selection started with about 130 potential jury candidates filing into a New Orleans courtroom. By late Monday, Judge Camille Buras had presided over selection of a jury of 12, with four alternates. Opening arguments were set for Tuesday. Lawyers said the trial could last seven to 10 days.So many jury candidates were summoned that reporters and other members of the public, including some of Hayes family and friends, had to listen to an audio feed from a nearby courtroom.Prosecutor Jason Napoli asked jurors opinions on whether the presence of a gun might escalate or de-escalate tensions.Defense attorney John Fuller quoted from the states so-called stand your ground law, noting that it allows a person engaged in legal activity to meet force with force, rather than retreat. He emphasized a section of the law stating that jurors cannot consider the possibility of retreat as a factor in whether the person believed deadly force was necessary.Later, during an afternoon round of jury candidate questioning, prosecutor Laura Rodigue stressed the words legal activity. Prosecutors have maintained in pre-trial hearings that Hayes chose to ram into Smiths SUV after Hayes, earlier, had lightly hit the rear of Hayess vehicle.Outside, a handful of protesters brandished signs that read, Free Cardell Hayes. Hayes was wearing a dark suit Monday; he previously had appeared in court dressed in prison orange.Inside, Fuller asked potential jurors to consider how they would approach the case if all the actions were the same, but the parties were reversed.The trial began days after Joe McKnight, another former NFL player, was shot and killed just last Thursday in a New Orleans suburb after a road rage incident on a bridge spiraled out of control. The man authorities identified as the shooter in that case -- Ronald Gasser -- has been released from custody with no charges as the investigation continues.Hayes has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in Smiths death. Conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. He is also charged with attempted second-degree murder in the wounding of Smiths wife, who was shot in the legs. He has been jailed since the April shooting, unable to make the $1.75 million bond. Air Jordans Outlet . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Wholesale Air Jordan From China .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. http://www.cheapairjordanfastshipping.com/ . Dukurs winning time was 1 minute, 45.76 seconds, a quarter-second better than Russias Alexander Tretiakov. Lativas Tomass Dukurs was third, 1.41 seconds off the pace. Jon Montgomery of Eckville, Alta. Cheap Nike Jordan Basketball . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Discount Jordans Shoes . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. CONCORD, N.C. -- Johnn Force won the Countdown-opening NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway for his 146th career victory and third of the season.The 67-year-old Force, a 16-time season champion, powered his Chevy Camaro Funny Car to a 3.946-second run at 324.05 mph to beat No. 1 qualifier Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final.Force also beat Dave Richards, Tim Wilkerson and Ron Capps.Antron Brown won the Top Fuel final for his 59th career victory and fifth of the season. He had a 3.7663 at 319.dddddddddddd29 to beat Doug Kalitta. Brown also won last year in Concord en route to the season title.Jason Line won in Pro Stock, and Chip Ellis in Pro Stock Motorcycle.Line raced to his eighth victory of the season, topping teammate Greg Anderson with a 6.621 at 209.39 in a Camaro. Ellis had a 6.879 at 194.88 on a Buell to beat Andrew Hines. ' ' '