Monday, January 22, 2007 12:05 Eastern Time

NEW WESTMINSTER, B-C -- About a dozen people are in line outsidea B-C courthouse this hour, awaiting the start of a murder trialexpected to last at least a year. They're hoping to land one of the few seats set aside for thepublic at the trial of Robert Pickton.

The Port Coquitlam pig farmer is being tried on six charges offirst-degree murder in the deaths of prostitutes from Vancouver'sDowntown Eastside. The first two people in line brought lawn chairs and areapparently holding spots for local T-V stations.

Court proceedings in the Vancouver suburb of New Westminster willopen with the judge issuing his instructions to the jury. Then prosecution lawyer Mike Petrie will lay out the Crown's case-- that's expected to take an hour. Then, in an unusual move, defence lawyer Peter Ritchie will begiven 15 minutes to speak to jurors.

It's the first time public will hear details in this case. It's been five years since Pickton was arrested and, until now,that the media has essentially been gagged. A later trial will be held on 20 more murder charges. About 350 reporters, photographers and technical mediarepresentatives have been accredited to report on the trial.

Among them are reporters from the U-S, Britain and Germany.