NORWICH – The trial of a Norwich man facing life in prison for his alleged role in a deadly drug shoot out was delayed Tuesday because attorneys unexpectedly exhausted the jury pool.

James F. Bush, 46, of Burdick Medbury Road in Town of Norwich, allegedly aided co-conspirator Joshua D. Richheimer of Pittsfield in an attempted robbery of a local drug dealer, which ultimately led to a gun battle and Richheimer’s death on July 24, 2007.

First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee said the “delay was unexpected, but not significant.” Earlier in the day, attorneys expected opening statements to begin by late afternoon.

The prosecution, along with assigned defense attorney Joseph J. Ermeti and his assistant attorney, Thomas Robert Cline of Binghamton, rifled through the 58 potential jurors and were only able to select 11.