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Waco Cop To Head Grand Jury Likely To Hear Biker Shooting

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WACO (AP) — A police detective was selected to preside over a grand jury that will likely consider cases stemming from a shootout involving bikers and police in Waco.

District Judge Ralph Strother chose police veteran James Head Wednesday to serve as foreman of the panel that will meet for the next three months.

Asked whether he had any involvement in the investigation, Head told the Waco Tribune-Herald, "Not really."

Nine people were killed and 18 injured in the May shootout. More than 170 people were arrested. It's unclear whose bullets struck the dead.

It's McLennan County's first randomly selected grand jury since state lawmakers eliminated the "pick-a-pal" system in which judge-appointed commissioners nominated prospective jurors.

The announcement comes amid scrutiny from bikers and their lawyers over perceptions of unfairness.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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