Kissel trial begins next week before possibly bigger jury

The trial of Nancy Kissel, the American mother of three accused of murdering her banker husband eight years ago, will begin in the Court of First Instance on Tuesday.

The trial is expected to last 50 days and will be presided over by Mr Justice Andrew Macrae, who will announce on Tuesday whether a jury of nine members, rather than the usual seven, will be empanelled.

Kissel, 46, is charged with one count of murder over the death of Merrill Lynch banker Robert Kissel on November 2, 2003. She allegedly battered him to death at their luxurious home at the Parkview estate in Tai Tam. She is remanded in custody.

In November, Macrae refused an application by Kissel's legal team for a permanent stay of proceedings against her. The decision was delivered after a three-day hearing that was closed to the public but open to the media, lawyers and friends and family members of the Kissels.

The judge imposed an order prohibiting the media from reporting details of the application and reasons of the ruling until the conclusion of the trial or another court order.

The court has granted permission to both Kissel and the prosecution to hire British Queen's Counsel to represent them because of the complexity of issues involved and the limited availability of local senior counsel specialised in murder cases.