Court selects jury for Winona Ryder theft trial

Jury selection in the shoplifting trial of Winona Ryder is under way.

Ryder is due in Beverly Hills Superior Court as a total of 12 jurors are being selected from a pool of around 40 people.

Ryder, wearing a pink cardigan and a floral dress, appeared in court on Thursday as Judge Elden Fox began the process of finding jurors.

He gave the potential jurors a questionnaire to fill in which is understood to focus on the media coverage surrounding the high-profile case.

Jury selection is expected to be completed today and opening statements in the trial, likely to last between five and seven days, are due to start on Monday.

Ryder, the star of Little Women and Girl Interrupted, faces trial on felony charges of grand theft, commercial burglary and vandalism stemming from her arrest just before last Christmas.

She is accused of stealing nearly €6,300 worth of designer merchandise from exclusive store Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.

The two-time Oscar nominee denies all the charges against her and is free on around €20,000 bail.

She could face three years in prison if convicted.