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Jury selection began Monday in the unusual blackmail trial of Sooner Tea Party leader Al Gerhart.

The case is unusual because Gerhart, a carpenter, admits he sent a threatening email to a state senator last year in an effort to get legislation passed.

At issue is whether what he did is illegal. He claims that what he did is constitutionally protected free speech and that it is comparable to the political pressuring that goes on all the time at the Oklahoma Capitol.

The trial in Oklahoma County District Court is expected to last three or four days.

Gerharts attorneys have subpoenaed some state legislators to be defense witnesses.

Ive been told that we are being asked to come in and testify as expert witnesses on the legislative process, said Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs.

Dorman, who is running for governor, and Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, are asking the trial judge to excuse them from testifying.

I dont want to miss any potential vote that might come up that I would need to be at the Capitol, Dorman said.

Others subpoenaed to testify for the defense include Rep. Gus Blackwell, R-Laverne; Sen. Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow; and Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie.

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Tea party leader's blackmail trial begins in Oklahoma County District Court