The drug trial of a Vicksburg man 22 months after his arrest began this morning in Warren County Circuit Court.

James Dudley Maynord, 35, 1243 Chambers St., was arrested Dec. 7, 2007, at Magnolia Commons Apartments, a large complex off Grange Hall Road. He’s charged with methamphetamine possession and possession of precursor substances with intent to manufacture meth.

Arrested with him were Christopher Jones, 34, 6223 Commons Circle; Johnny Anderson, 35, 4728 Nailor Road; and Angela Wright, 29, 112 Bering St.

Maynord’s pickup, which Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said was used as a meth-cooking lab, was seized by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

“The truck contained an active meth lab and all the ingredients,” Pace said at the time.

Jury selection began at 9 a.m. in the courtroom with Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick presiding. Jurors were being chosen from a pool of 200 summoned at random from voter rolls.

The four defendants were indicted together Oct. 30 in one case, but Maynord’s attorney, James “Buck” Penley, petitioned the court in February for severance and Maynord will be tried separately, said District Attorney Ricky Smith.

Prosecuting attorneys are Assistant DAs Dewey Arthur and Lane Campbell.

If convicted of meth possession, Maynord faces a minimum of four and a maximum of 10 years plus a maximum $250,000 fine. The precursor possession charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years and $1 million fine.

Maynord has been free on $25,000 bond since Dec. 13, 2007, Smith said.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com