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Jury Selection To Begin In Trial Of New Jersey Man Accused In Rape, Murder Plot

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Jury selection starts Monday in the New York trial of a New Jersey man and a former Manhattan school librarian charged with conspiring to rape, torture and murder women and children.

The trial comes a year after a related case resulted in the conviction of a New York City police officer in a cannibalism plot to torture, kill and eat women.

About 90 prospective jurors Monday will be asked to answer nine written questions to see if they can remain objective and fair as ghastly evidence is introduced in the case. Defense lawyers maintain that online correspondence between the defendants will prove they were merely engaging in sexual fantasy chats that were never meant to harm anyone.

Both men have been held without bail since their arrests.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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