ST. CLAIRSVILLE - Jury selection was expected to begin this morning before Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judge John M. Solovan at the Belmont County Courthouse for the trial of suspended Martins Ferry Police Chief Barry Carpenter for his high-profile theft case involving a Hollywood couple's surrogate mother.

Carpenter, along with Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack, are accused of conspiring to steal items from the surrogate's Martins Ferry home to sell them to celebrity photographers. The alleged crimes reportedly occurred while the woman was carrying twins for stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. The woman gave birth to the twins last summer at East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry.

Carpenter is facing multiple felonies, including burglary and receiving stolen property. He has pleaded not guilty and could face 21 years in prison if convicted on all charges

The 32-year-old Carpenter is accused of burglary, one count of receiving stolen property, theft in office, tampering with evidence and unauthorized use of property or services.

Dojack, who also has been suspended with pay for the past several months, is scheduled to go to trial on Jan. 12. He has been charged with two counts of complicity to burglary and one county of complicity to receive stolen property. He could spend up to 9 1/2 years behind bars is convicted.

Special prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey of Harrison County, has been appointed to prosecute the case due to a conflict of interest for Belmont Prosecuting Attorney Chris Berhalter.

At the time, Hervey indicated it would better to have him as witness than to try him as a defendant.

A third man, 50-year-old Bruce Callarick, was facing charges of stolen property. However, the state moved to dismiss those charges.

A court spokesperson said the trial would likely continue throughout the entire week.