National briefs 10/26/04

Juror selections begins in Robert Blake trial

LOS ANGELES -- The search for a jury to decide whether actor Robert Blake murdered his wife got off to a halting start Monday with only 20 of the first 133 prospects saying they could be available to serve on a long trial. The trial of the former "Baretta" star could last five months. Judge Darlene Schempp that said jurors would be excused only for legitimate reasons relating to their employment or studies. Blake, 71, told police he found his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, shot in their car on May 4, 2001.

Georgia high court throws out hate crimes law

ATLANTA -- The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's hate crimes law Monday, saying the measure is so broadly worded that it could even be used to prosecute a rabid sports fan for picking on somebody wearing a rival team's cap. The 7-0 ruling came in the case of a white man and woman convicted of beating two black men in Atlanta. Forty-eight states have hate crimes laws, but Georgia's was the only one that did not specify which groups qualified for protection.

Illinois seeks OK to buy flu vaccine from Europe

CHICAGO -- Citing "an urgent need" at a time of flu vaccine shortages, Illinois asked for federal permission Monday to buy at least 62,000 vaccine doses from Europe for the state's nursing home residents. A letter outlining the proposal was sent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been battling over his push to import lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada. The acting FDA commissioner, Dr. Lester M. Crawford, said the agency would evaluate the state's request "expeditiously."

-- From wire reports