After Five Years of Delays, The Hammer Goes On Trial

DeLay, who has denied any wrongdoing, is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. Jurors were selected last week, and the trial is expected to last three weeks.

Prosecutors allege that DeLay and two associates - Jim Ellis and John Colyandro - illegally funneled $190,000 in corporate money, which had been collected by a group DeLay started, through the Washington-based Republican National Committee to help elect GOP state legislative candidates in 2002.

Under Texas law, corporate money cannot be directly used for political campaigns.