HOLLYWOOD - Movie star Wesley Snipes kicked off his tax fraud and conspiracy trial in Ocala, Florida, on Monday.
The Blade star's legal team interviewed almost 70 potential character witnesses as jury selection began.
The bizarre list of names included boxing legend Muhammad Ali, moviemaker Spike Lee, Sylvester Stallone and Snipes' White Men Can't Jump costar Woody Harrelson.
Snipes, 45, stands accused of conspiring to defraud the U.S. of millions of dollars in 2000 as part of a conspiracy scheme with co-defendants Eddie Ray Kahn and Douglas Rosile, and then failing to file tax returns.
Opening arguments in the trial are expected to start today.
Snipes faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted.
He recently failed in his bid to move proceedings from Ocala, after insisting the townsfolk were racist and he wouldn't be able to get a fair hearing.
Before appearing in court, Snipes took part in a vigil with the leaders of several predominantly black churches, who then followed the actor to court.
http://www.hollywood.com/news/Snipes_Court_Hearing_Begins/5042571
