JACKSON (AP) —

Daniel Cummings’ trial in October 2006 death of officer Robert Langley starts Monday. Attorneys will have 350 potential jurors to choose from.

Lafayette County Circuit Clerk Mary Alice Busby said that’s twice as many as previous highs. She said the large number was summoned because of the publicity surrounding the case.

‘‘We expect the judge to sequester the jury in this trial,’’ Busby said.

Prosecutors said drugs and alcohol were in Cummings’ system when he allegedly dragged Langley to his death during a traffic stop.

Langley was a member of the National Guard and a father of four. His death caught the attention of the state and helped spur changes in the alcohol policies in both Oxford and at Ole Miss.

Authorities said Cummings, who was 20 at the time of the killing, drove off as Langley reached into his vehicle to turn it off. The officer was dragged about 200 yards and hit his head when he fell to the ground. He died later at a hospital.

Cummings faces life in prison without parole. District Attorney Ben Creekmore is not seeking the death penalty at the wish of Langley’s family, according to an article at www.clarionledger.com.

The trial is expected to last a week, though jury selection could take more than a day, Creekmore said.

Cummings’ attorney, Steven Farese, of Ashland, has said the issue in the trial isn’t whether Cummings committed the act that led to Langley’s death, but whether he should face a capital murder charge.

Farese, who couldn’t be reached for comment, has said, ‘‘I’m not saying my client shouldn’t be punished, but it shouldn’t be for capital murder.’’

Creekmore said a grand jury chose the capital murder charge and his office is obligated to pursue it.

———

Information from: The Clarion-Ledger, http://www.clarionledger.com