Ex-NYC councilman's conviction in jeopardy

NEW YORK (AP) — The conviction of a New York City councilman serving a five-year prison sentence may be in jeopardy after a federal appeals court launched a probe Thursday to see whether spectators were improperly excluded from his trial.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asked the trial judge to look into claims by lawyers for the convicted former councilman, Larry Seabrook. His attorneys say three spectators were excluded from portions of jury selection for his six-week 2011 trial, including his brother, a friend and a former constituent.