By Ashleigh Costello
EAGnews.org

CAMDEN, Ala. – A former Alabama state legislator and high school principal is scheduled to stand trial this week for allegedly sexually abusing a 17-year-old female student.

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Former state Rep. James Thomas, 69, is facing a felony charge of sexual abuse and a misdemeanor charge of having sexual relations with a student.  Thomas was the principal at Wilcox-Central High School at the time of the alleged incident in 2010, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

An overwhelmingly female jury was chosen Monday to hear the trial. Prosecutors and defense attorneys took four hours to select the jury of 11 women and three men.

Wilcox County District Attorney Michael Jackson said testimony is expected to begin Wednesday. The trial is expected to last only one or two days.

“We have strong evidence and strong witnesses,” Jackson said.

Lewis Gilles, attorney for Thomas, questioned the state’s case.

“We say it was impossible for him to do what they said he did,” said Gillis.

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Thomas served 28 years as a state legislator. He was defeated in the Democratic primary in 2010.

Thomas is currently free on $45,000 bond.