Retrial to begin for photographer accused of taking eaglets

OTTAWA, Ill. (AP) - A northern Illinois nature photographer is set to stand trial for a second time on charges that he took two baby eagles.

The (LaSalle) News-Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1AjlFWV ) that jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the case against Oglesby resident Steve Patterson.

He's accused of illegally taking the protected birds from a spot near his home in June 2013 and arranging for their rehabilitation at a Barrington wildlife center.

Patterson's attorneys argue he was justified in taking the birds, which were injured and might have died.

But prosecutors say Patterson should've followed orders from state Conservation Police that the birds not be touched, and that he has a history of tampering with wildlife.

A jury deadlocked during Patterson's first trial last October, although most jurors voted to convict Patterson.