Hells Angels mega-trial jury told to prepare for a marathon

After last week's false start, the Hells Angelsmega-trialhas begunat Montreal'sGouin courthouse.

The trial start date waspostponed last weekafter one of the jurors was excused.

• Hells Angels mega-trial postponed another week
• Hells Angels biker mega-trial: mery Martin sentenced, released
• Hells Angels member has charges dropped ahead of SharQc mega-trial

The five accusedincludeYvonTanguay,MichelVallires, Claude Berger, andbrothers SylvainVachonandFranoisVachon.Four of the accused were detainedbehind a glass wall, while Berger, who is on bail, sat in the courtroom.

Theyare facing various charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

On Monday,JudgeJamesBruntontold the jury they were running a marathon, not a sprint.

The men are facing 34 charges and the judge told jury members to "treat this like 34 trials,"weighing the evidence for each count separately.

Heexplained the chargesand reminded all 14jurors that they would have to reach their verdict solely on fact and not prejudice.

The jurors are not allowed to do any outside research on the alleged crimes and they're not allowed to speak with one another until deliberation.

SharQcsting nets156 arrests in 2009

A total of 156 people were arrested in 2009 on charges ofmurder, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking and gangsterismduring the SharQc operation amassive sting aimed at dismantling the outlaw motorcycle gang.

In order to avoid a trial 105of those arrested havepleaded guilty, some of those to lesser charges. Another 31 were released in 2011after a judge ruled there had been unreasonable delays in their cases.

The charges against Christian Mnard were dropped completely. He had been facing charges offirst-degreemurder and conspiracy to commitmurder in connection with a killing 14 years ago.

Three people have died since being charged andeight others are still at large.

The trial couldlast between 18 and 24 months. The judge told court Monday that he hopes the trial will not last that long.

Two of the accused,RobertBonomoandJohnCoates, have a separate date for an English-language trial inJanuary 2017.