walking while black - Trayvon Martin

[HairOfTheDog]

I should be on that jury!

Are you able to put aside anything you've seen in the media or on-line and consider only what's presented at trial, without going in with a bias towards either side?

Do you have 4 to 6 weeks to commit without it causing a financial hardship for you?

If the jury were to be sequestered, would you be able to emotionally handle the separation from loved ones?

Do you watch Fox News?

Those were the gist of some of the questions for potential jurors from yesterday.

If you're qualified, I'd love to see you sworn in, Cars? But, then you couldn't post about the case here, so that would be a downside.

[Carsman]

I should be on that jury!

Are you able to put aside anything you've seen in the media or on-line and consider only what's presented at trial, without going in with a bias towards either side?

Do you have 4 to 6 weeks to commit without it causing a financial hardship for you?

If the jury were to be sequestered, would you be able to emotionally handle the separation from loved ones?

Do you watch Fox News?

Those were the gist of some of the questions for potential jurors from yesterday.

If you're qualified, I'd love to see you sworn in, Cars? But, then you couldn't post about the case here, so that would be a downside.

Yes, Yes, Yes, No, so does that mean I'm in?

[Maggot]

I would buy your book cars!

[HairOfTheDog]

Yes, Yes, Yes, No, so does that mean I'm in?

Sorry, motion denied. I'd rather have you here posting than in the courtroom.

BUT, if the attorneys can't select 10 jurors out of the 500 they've pooled together and you get summoned and selected, I will buy your book too!

[Carsman]

I would buy your book cars!

Yes, Yes, Yes, No, so does that mean I'm in?

Sorry, motion denied. I'd rather have you here posting than in the courtroom.

BUT, if the attorneys can't select 10 jurors out of the 500 they've pooled together and you get summoned and selected, I will buy your book too!

Couln't put one over on you Maggs.

And HotD, thanks for that,
and they better be able to get the jurors from that large pool!!!
And I'd gift the book to you!

[Adub]

Liar, liar voir dire on fire. I know if I was called, I'd stealthly lie my ass off. Not because I had just won the lottery, but because George is a big fat liar. And it is all about a jury of his peers. Commonality.

I guffawed at the animal lady that called Trayvon a "boy of color".

Would that be the same as a colored boy?

[HairOfTheDog]

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.

[Cynical Ninja]

This jury “selection” shit is fascinating we don't have that shit in he UK, obviously jury members are vetted to make sure they aren't biased or prejudiced but we don't let the lawyers question and cherry pick the jurors they want before the trial.

Unless some of the potential jurors have been living alone as a hermit in a cave for the past year or more do they really think they are going to find a completely unbiased jury?

[HairOfTheDog]

Unless some of the potential jurors have been living alone as a hermit in a cave for the past year or more do they really think they are going to find a completely unbiased jury?

All of those questioned so far have at least seen media coverage about the case according to their responses.

Several claim that they haven't formed an opinion.

Jury selection is always a more difficult and lengthy process for very high profile cases like this one, but it's nowhere near impossible. Been done many times before.

They'll get 10 jurors who both sides can agree upon as being objective and having the ability to base their verdict on evidence presented at trial.

Having said that, the prosecution and defense are each definitely looking for jurors who they perceive possess characteristics that will incline them to embrace their respective cases and interpretations of the evidence. There is a lotta strategy involved in jury selection.

[F.U.]

I've ben celebrating for the last 5 days so I have not kept up with events. Can anyone tell me how many, if any jurors have ben selected?

[F.U.]

I should be on that jury!

Are you able to put aside anything you've seen in the media or on-line and consider only what's presented at trial, without going in with a bias towards either side?

Do you have 4 to 6 weeks to commit without it causing a financial hardship for you?

If the jury were to be sequestered, would you be able to emotionally handle the separation from loved ones?

Do you watch Fox News?

Those were the gist of some of the questions for potential jurors from yesterday.

If you're qualified, I'd love to see you sworn in, Cars? But, then you couldn't post about the case here, so that would be a downside.

Yes, Yes, Yes, No, so does that mean I'm in?

Just getting caught up to speed on this but I could sit right next to Cars on this jury. So thats two for the jury box. Yes, yes, yes, No.

[Duchess]

I'm the opposite, I would have answered no to every question.

[HairOfTheDog]

I've ben celebrating for the last 5 days so I have not kept up with events. Can anyone tell me how many, if any jurors have ben selected?

The attorneys aren't trying to select final jurors yet, F.U. They are only questioning them regarding media exposure.

It's like phase 1 questioning before moving on to traditional voire dire.

The attorneys have 500 potential jurors to work with at this point.

Out of the first batch of 100 called:
-71 have been eliminated (mostly through answers to a written questionnaire).
-15 have actually been questioned by the attorneys.
-I believe 3 of them remain in the potential pool for the next phase of questioning.

There are 400 potential jurors in the pool that haven't been called at all yet. It's gonna take awhile for final juror selection.

[HairOfTheDog]

Just getting caught up to speed on this but I could sit right next to Cars on this jury. So thats two for the jury box. Yes, yes, yes, No.

Cars, you, and me - that's 3.

Serving jury duty is interesting to me, this one might actually be fun too!

[Cynical Ninja]

Several claim that they haven't formed an opinion.

I have to say I find that more than a little dubious.

This case is so devisive and has been so high profile in the media for so long I can't see how anyone can't have formed an opinion about it yet.

I haven't come across anybody online or IRL who have just shrugged their shoulders and said “I don't know” when asked about the case.

[F.U.]

Some of us actually like to do our own research on a topic and make our own decisions. However, most people arn't like that and theyfall for the BS that the media spoon feeds them. We all know how the media spins a story, any story, to fit their belief's.

[F.U.]

I've ben celebrating for the last 5 days so I have not kept up with events. Can anyone tell me how many, if any jurors have ben selected?

The attorneys aren't trying to select final jurors yet, F.U. They are only questioning them regarding media exposure.

It's like phase 1 questioning before moving on to traditional voire dire.

The attorneys have 500 potential jurors to work with at this point.

Out of the first batch of 100 called:
-71 have been eliminated (mostly through answers to a written questionnaire).
-15 have actually been questioned by the attorneys.
-I believe 3 of them remain in the potential pool for the next phase of questioning.

There are 400 potential jurors in the pool that haven't been called at all yet. It's gonna take awhile for final juror selection.

Thanks.

[HairOfTheDog]

Several claim that they haven't formed an opinion.

I have to say I find that more than a little dubious.

This case is so devisive and has been so high profile in the media for so long I can't see how any can't have formed an opinion about yet.

I haven't come across anybody online or IRL who have just shrugged their shoulders and said “I don't know” when asked about the case.

Nobody expects a juror not to have natural life biases or opinions; not on any case. It's not possible.

But, it's very possible for some to be able to put anything they've seen in the media or heard/read from others aside and be objective; considering only the evidence presented at trial when rendering a verdict. Happens in courtrooms across the country every day.

Granted, even if the jurors can be objective, their life experiences and normal human biases (conscious or not) will likely play a part in how each objectively views the same evidence. In fact, attorneys on both sides hope to accurately gauge how potential jurors will lean during jury selection and get a jury that they consider favorable to their side impaneled.

But, juries are very unpredictable and how they interact with each other in deliberations can have an impact on the verdict. It's all part of the human system and the "jury of our peers" aspect.

[Adub]

Several claim that they haven't formed an opinion.

I have to say I find that more than a little dubious.

This case is so devisive and has been so high profile in the media for so long I can't see how anyone can't have formed an opinion about it yet.

I haven't come across anybody online or IRL who have just shrugged their shoulders and said “I don't know” when asked about the case.

The past 3 days have been about fair, impartial, and the ability to follow instructions. I think it is going pretty well for both sides. And I do know a bunch of people that don't really care about this one way or the other. But, just might start to care if they got a jury summons.

High profile trials are likened to reality TV shows. Lots of people would be tickled to be on a reality TV show.

Zimmerman has a jury consultant that charges $10,000 a day. The State is winging it. Just going on their experience. It is, what it is.

Should take another week, or so. The jury will be seated by the end of the next court week. And I expect a few Baston (sp) hearings, and for O'Mara to try and get a continuance based on bias. Maybe even ask for a change of venue.

[Adub]

Looks like there are 20, as of today, that are moving on to the next phase of jury selection. And the court is asking for 30 before they move on.

After the court gets their 30, the jurors will be questioned individually but in front of all the other potential jurors in the courtroom.

About guns, concealed weapons permit, and who knows what else.