06-11-2013, 11:26 PM
Eleven potential jurors were questioned today and 4 on Monday.
71 of the first 100 have been eliminated (most of them due to answers on the initial written questionnaires).
Now, I'm starting to think the legal analysts on the tube are right; probably gonna take weeks to impanel a jury. The current line of questioning is focused on potential jurors' exposure and opinions related to what's been covered in the case by media and the internet.
Next step:
A representative for the court told HLN that once 30 jurors have been questioned about media coverage and have not been eliminated for cause, the next stage for these potential jurors will be traditional voir dire, in which attorneys will be able ask them questions about other subjects they believe to be important to the case. These subjects could include race, self-defense and crime.
Since Judge Nelson denied a defense motion to keep jurors' names sealed/anonymous after trial ends, a couple of potential jurors expressed minor concerns about public reaction to any verdict when queried about it. But, then both said they'd still be able to serve on the jury without qualm.
A middle-aged black man who runs a vending machine company is a Fox News and Sean Hannity fan. During his questioning, he called Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson "saber rattlers". "The shooting was not racial, I didn't see it that way," he said. Interesting. The prosecution will definitely eliminate him.
71 of the first 100 have been eliminated (most of them due to answers on the initial written questionnaires).
Now, I'm starting to think the legal analysts on the tube are right; probably gonna take weeks to impanel a jury. The current line of questioning is focused on potential jurors' exposure and opinions related to what's been covered in the case by media and the internet.
Next step:
A representative for the court told HLN that once 30 jurors have been questioned about media coverage and have not been eliminated for cause, the next stage for these potential jurors will be traditional voir dire, in which attorneys will be able ask them questions about other subjects they believe to be important to the case. These subjects could include race, self-defense and crime.
Since Judge Nelson denied a defense motion to keep jurors' names sealed/anonymous after trial ends, a couple of potential jurors expressed minor concerns about public reaction to any verdict when queried about it. But, then both said they'd still be able to serve on the jury without qualm.
A middle-aged black man who runs a vending machine company is a Fox News and Sean Hannity fan. During his questioning, he called Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson "saber rattlers". "The shooting was not racial, I didn't see it that way," he said. Interesting. The prosecution will definitely eliminate him.