In brief: Mayor helps rescue neighbors from fire

Newark, N.J. – Newark Mayor Cory Booker was treated and released from the hospital Thursday night after suffering from smoke inhalation while helping to rescue his neighbors from a fire.

Booker arrived home Thursday night to find the house next door on fire, according to spokeswoman Anne Torres.

Booker and two of his security detail entered the home to help its residents escape, Torres said. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, and was released around midnight.

Booker told the Star-Ledger newspaper he suffered second-degree burns on his hand.

Newark Fire Director Fateen Ziyad told the newspaper that Booker had recounted to him how he heard a woman yelling “I’m back here,” from a back bedroom when the mayor rushed into the building but was held back by his security detail.

The mayor yelled at his security guards to release him, saying: “She is going to die, she is going to die,” Ziyad told the newspaper, adding the mayor crossed through smoke and flames to grab the woman and carry her in his arms out of the building.

Jury selection begins for Edwards trial

Greensboro, N.C. – After years of investigation, denials and delays, jury selection began Thursday for the criminal trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards.

Edwards sat at the defense table as about 180 potential jurors filed into a Greensboro, N.C., courtroom.

The trial had been scheduled to begin in late January, but was delayed after Edwards’ lawyers told the judge he had a serious heart problem that required treatment. Compared with the quick-smiling candidate of four years ago, the former U.S. senator, now 58, appeared slightly gaunt in the cheeks but still had no trace of gray in his carefully parted hair.

Edwards faces six criminal counts related to nearly $1 million in secret payments made by two campaign donors to help hide the married Democrat’s pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

By the end of next week, the large jury pool is to be winnowed down to 12 jurors and at least four alternate jurors. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin April 23. The trial is expected to last six weeks, but the trial judge warned it could go longer.